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Breaking news! Tommy Sinclair will be Union County’s new Supervisor. We hope that he will be stern in the work he does to get Union turned around. He will have a tough job ahead of him. Good luck because we need you to make a difference in our County.
10/30/09 THE WORD ON THE STREET 10/30/09 A local businessman who has a carwash in Buffalo has had problems with an overflow of household trash in his garbage cans. He says he has to empty trash up to 3 times a day in Buffalo because the people of Buffalo do not have a place nearby to put their garbage so they use the carwash trash cans. He went to Tommy Ford a year ago about the problem and asked him to do something for the people in the Buffalo District and place a dumpster somewhere in Buffalo. The businessman has actually had to discontinue the use of trash cans at his carwash because of the problem. He recently went to Councilman Ford again to ask for a dumpster for the people in Buffalo so that they would not have to drive so far to a recycling center. Ford took the matter to Dora Martin and Lisa Ward who is over the road maintenance and both Martin and Ward, (who actually lives in Buffalo) agreed that the people in Buffalo did not have enough sense to put their trash in the dumpster and it would be a problem for the County. So they decided since the folks in Buffalo are not competent to have a dumpster they would not help them out and put a dumpster out for them so that they do not have to drive so far to take their garbage. Councilman Ford was supposed to get the surcharge taken off of your water bill, what happened to that, isn't Buffalo still paying the surcharge? This is another example of how our Council is contributing to businesses either closing down or not being able to provide a service to the people. Folks, if we don’t get this council out of office, Union is doomed and from what the Council has already done to us I do not know if we will ever be able to recover. When we can afford to cut grass at the Buffalo Teen Center, build a 6 million dollar complex buy property for 5 times what it is worth, yet we cannot take care of the people in Union we have a major problem. How can Union expect to ever get industry or even small business to locate here or even stay in here? ARE
YOUR TAXES TO HIGH? ARE YOU PAYING OTHERS TAXES FOR THEM? MELTDOWN 10/30/09 I know we are all innocent until proven guilty and people that are under federal indictments have said that they are innocent of all charges! If I may, let me bring you into reality! Some have 65 charges of some sort of crime against them. The FBI did not just start recently, this is not their first rodeo, so be sure they have the goods and 95 percent of these charges should stick. I hope all of you enjoyed the Union County Fair! That will be your last ride for years! 10/27/09 Speaking of the little man, I look for 10-15 more small businesses to have to close due to the extreme taxation from our local government. How much can the little guy stand, with business license based on your gross sales how can anybody afford them? Let me get this right if I am losing money I still have to pay business license based on whatever I took in. Look at Car Dealers suppose they have sold a million dollars worth of cars and did not make but 5 grand they have to pay based on the million dollars. Come on City regardless of whether or not everybody else does it this way don’t you think something is wrong with this picture? Take a look at your 2009 County Tax bill and notice that all of the extras are dumped into one category “special”. A number of people have had something to say about it but have you called the County to see just what is going on and how much you are paying on the new Sports Complex, not to mention your Veterans building, library, fire district, just to name a few. What is the county trying to hide? I am sure Betenbaugh made sure that no one could complain this year about some of the extras on your tax bill. He must have gotten more complaints last year than he could deal with. Now the Treasurer has to make excuses for what is going on with the tax bill. Folks if you don’t speak up, then don’t expect anything to change because the County already knows they can get away with anything they want because the tax payers just sit back and let them do what they please. Don’t expect your leaders to do their jobs, stay on top of what is going on in your County. The people you voted in will throw you to the wolves once they get into their “position”. Utilities are going out the roof and the Council just sits back and says “we have not gone up on your taxes.” With the rate utilities continually rising, folks would probably take the lesser evil. Looks to me like the County is business as usual so look out because nothing is getting better, only worse!
10/27/09 Many stories have been told about the little man
that got crushed by the big man. Most of the time , the big man wins, time
for truth is the little man. All those under federal indictments are
the big men! Well the story has now changed the little man has
won! Many have said that those that are indicted have bought new
choir robes, are
in perfect pitch, and are singing at the top of their lungs about the
others involved! The feds do not have to get the ok of the local solicitor
to arrest more people! Remember what you learned in school about government,
Local, State and Federal. Federal being the strongest! 10/27/09 If the County Council would have been
big enough to think for themselves then maybe Betenbaugh would not be in the
mess he is in today. So Council when you
defend Donnie it is only because you know it is partly your fault. When you are voted into office you are there
to do a job, so just do your job and then maybe we will not continue to have
the problems we are having in Union. 10/23/09 how m any more times are we going to be embarrassed by pure stupidity, i am at lost for words, all im gonna say is the guy drove all the way from columbia with a truckload of explosives to turn them into the ucso, only for them to be returned to columbia to sleds headquarters, here's your sign 10/23/09 We now have one new leader in public office
and soon will have another. We trust that each will do the right thing and run
their offices in a very professional manner. Many feel that changes in our
government must happen! So, please start by cleaning up our government as soon
as you can! Remember what Governor Sanford said, " A new broom sweeps
clean"! And each new candidate must start sweeping, or we all will be left
in the dust! Side note: Who ever gets the job as Union County Supervisor,
You will need a very large broom, Shop vac, Mop and Waste Bin! 10/23/09 Why is it so hard for them to recognize or accept that our world, country, state, county and city are in a severe recession, bordering on inflation, under the current federal administration. We, are unable to print an unlimited amount of federal reserve dollars, with nothing to back them!! We have 20++% unemployment in Union County/City, with more to come!! So, now,our illustreous, mega-intelligent Mayor/Council vote to spend $7200 to dye the new concrete power poles, black!! This was based on a recommndation from our highly,educated,experienced,utility director(with whom,once we had much respect and future promise). Looks like now,even he has fallen right in line with good ole boys. We certainly hope that the $7200 spent will also be much,much more "aesthetically appealing" to our Union County citzens as they pass through the southern and northern "Gateways", as they travel to and from their jobs outside of Union/City & County. Most importantly,we pray that they will be exceptionaly appealling to all of the "NEW INDUSTRY/BUSINESS that our extremely,talented,dedicated,Mayor,City, County Council members and let's surely not forget our Chamber of Commerce & Development Board Members who are dilligently,tirelessly working each and everyday,24/7 to attract more high paying jobs for our "GREAT CITY & COUNTY" GOD PLEASE HELP US TO SAVE, PROTECT & IMPROVE WHAT WE HAVE!! Citizens of Union County/City! We cannot change the past but we can definitely learn from it!! It is now time to take our licks,learn from our past and move on to a better future!! Rember when election time comes!! We can vote like our daddy,granddaddy & greatgrandday did and we can accept what the "good ole boy's politics has done for us on a national,state & local levels! AS IN THE PAST,THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US FOUGHT AND DIED TO GIVE US THE FREEDOMS WHICH WE ALL(IN THE USA)STILL ENJOY TODAY!! And so today we still have the freedom to vote for whom we think will represent our best interests. Please wake-up Union!! When it is time to vote,please consider the facts,where we have been,where we are now and where we need to be to make it better for future generations to experience the rich history and city of hospitaly that we were fortunate to be borne & grow up in. No, Union is not perfect!! but in the recent past,we have been close!! GOD BLESS OUR GREAT City,County & State!!!! 1 in Union who cares 10/22/09
10/22/09
Why is Union spending $7200 to dye some poles black? no one cares
if the poles are black! THIS IS A RECESSION!!!! This is in addition to $8358
for Christmas
decorations. When will people learn the difference between
needs and wants? 10/21/09 Why is it that the Union County Council votes unanimously to give tax incentives to the new Sloan Construction liquid asphalt plant? Didn't the neighbors close by have an issue with the plant being put in this part of Union County? Some people that live close by have had to call DHEC air quality already and there have been other problems that have arisen due to the operations of the plant. Spartanburg County would not allow this type plant to be placed in parts of the county because of the nature of the business. Not only did our Supervisor push for the plant to locate here his council just recently gave them tax breaks. Why does our County Council not do anything to try and keep the small businesses up and running instead of allowing them to leave because they cannot make it in Union. Instead we give businesses that are not welcomed here tax breaks. Folks the Liquid Asphalt Plant employees 2 people what are you people thinking. What are you doing carrying our Donnie's wishes?
10/21/09 Governor Mark Sanford said some really nice things about Donna Cudd this morning at the Union County Courthouse. Mrs. Cudd has been a blessing to Union in times where we have lost confidence in our leaders. Thank you Donna Cudd for letting us know that honesty and integrity do pay off. Congratulations to Freddie Gault for the appointment of the Clerk of Court. We have faith that Freddie Gault will do a fine job and feel the Governor made a good decision. 10/21/09 Another meltdown in union, Union House restaurant is closing due to all the extra city taxes, extra power bill etc.
10/21/09 For all the people who think Union should stay the same and not
grow, Please do me a favor! Get up early monday thry friday and drive to Citgo
in Jonesville. Park there in the parking lot by 6:30 A.M. and watch the large
number of cars going out of Union for jobs! If thats not enough, go back there
at 5:00 P.M. for the "Five O'Clock Five Hundred" and see the
large number of Union residents coming home!
10/20/09 We need major business to relocate to Union! It is great to have
small business, but, we need some major large corporations as well. We cannot
continue to keep up the tax base if we don't get some major businesses in
Union. Union needs to grow! And, don't let the people who are running this
place tell you that we don't have the educational skills to bring such business
here! If people want to work for a company bad enough, they will get the
training necessary to get the job. This will also keep our young people at home
instead of them moving to Charlotte, Spartanburg, or Greenville which increases
their populations! Looks like Gaffney is doing just that so why can't we? Concerned Citizen 10/20/09 On 10-16-09 the Spartanburg Herald ran an article that stated, "No pay hike for Social Security" They say that the reason is there has been zero inflation. It is reported that there may be a check for 250 dollars down the road near election time. You know, just a little bribe money so you don't forget who to vote for in the federal elections. And while this is good for seniors to collect this money the destruction of future generations is at hand.
10/19/09 TIME FOR TRUTH IS BACK ON THE WEB 10/19/09 MELTDOWN-TFT
GETS IT RIGHT AGAIN
10/16/09 Dear Readers: For the past
year it has been our goal to uncover corruption in Union. As a team of ordinary
citizens, we worked many hours to bring to light so many things that we felt
were sucking the life out of our community. While we know there are more people
involved, the big dogs have been caught and the little puppies have had their
milk supply cut off. Having said that we feel it is time to call it a
day. Our work has been effective but now it is time to heal as a
community. We need to get on with our lives, pick up the pieces from this
mess and lift up our little town. To help with this process, we will suspend
all postings and emails for a while to rest from the trauma we have suffered. But as a note to our elected officials, we
will still be watching you and we will not allow this to happen again so you
better start keeping your noses clean. To you our
readers: Thank you for
all of your support and remember to pray for Union! TFT Team 10/16/09 Folks all over are talking about Union SC, we make Chicago look like a bunch of a Saints. Read the link below! http://rogersparkbench.blogspot.com/2009/10/corruption-sickens-union-south-carolina.html
10/14/09
Although I'm flattered (not
really) to be included in the response the one poster made...I have to confess
that, no, I'm not asking WWJD. I KNOW what Jesus will do. He will forgive
the corrupt sinners for stealing from Now...let me explain Man's
Law. They broke it. They deserve to be given long prison
sentences for the crimes they have committed. They stole from the
citizens of the county with the highest unemployment rate in
SC. They stole from elderly people. They stole from
CHILDREN!! They lied and cheated and were dealing (and doing)
drugs. It is my desire that WHILE they are locked up that they have
time to reflect on their actions. I hope they read their Bibles
everyday and become real Christians. I'll go as far as to say
that at least one of them might have a career as a TV minister AFTER he
serves his time. Especially in Doesn't matter to me what they do
after they get out as long as they go in. What exactly do you think should
happen to them? Should they not be punished at all? I'm beginning to see more and more
how they were able to get away so long with their thieving ways. How
gullible can you be? I'll be the first one to forgive them if they
ask. Have you heard them ask? Have you heard them admit they were
wrong? Hmmmm... Signed, 10/14/09 I am so glad that somebody,
somewhere finally has done something with all the "heathens" who all
pretended to be better than thou! but, i am concerned yet still that there are
more that need to be got! i am grateful for TFT and all the hard work they have
done! but i have many questions and answers that i have yet to see anywhere?
where did all the drugs, prescription and illegal, come from? where did
Mr.Wells get his elaborate gun collection from? i am wondering did it come from
the "evidence room" that had been retrieved from all the round-ups in
the past?!? could this be possible? if so, who,what,when,where and how??? i
have lost respect for all of our police(present and past-county and city) and a
lot of others in supposedly respectful positions!!! i will be praying for our
county and hope eventually all will come to light and that our county will be a
place anyone who lives here will be proud to call home! p.s. i think we should
all charter a bus for all who would like to be in the courthouse in greenville
when all those "heathens" go in front of the
judge!lol!!!
10/14/09 I'm going to need someone to help me understand the problem the one poster has with Walmart. Isn't Walmart on of the biggest employers left in Union right now? Isn't this mentality of not putting the "Mom and Pop" shops out of business some of the reason Union is in the condition they are in now? We cannot continue to try to save a few at the expense of many. So? since Walmart is going to add a gas station and maybe give competiton to a particular gas station owner (because you know that's what this is about) then we should maybe boycott Walmart all together which will result in first a layoff of many Union County residents then subsequently a closing of the store but a store that employs maybe five will still thrive. Maybe it's me...but I'm failing to see the logic behind this one. Especially since we've already read this SAME damn book and the end wasn't (isn't pleasant) or profitable. You know...people keep asking how this whole corruption thing could have happened in Union without somebody knowing something before TFT came aboard. At first I was thinking that it wasn't possible...but now..I just don't know. After reading that post...I see that there are truly some idiots in Union. Of course not all...but there seems to be enough. 10/14/09
Several folks have written in about tonight's meeting so I will
have to take their word on what went on as I did not attend. I needed to spend
time with my lovely wife and hear I got the better end of the evening. I
understand there was not much council did. A gentleman had some hard
hitting questions for council and made them a little uncomfortable as they
should be. The only other information that came out was Mrs. Petrie we hear
voted against an amendment because she had not been informed of the pros and cons and the
other council members just raised their hand and it is our understanding they
had no idea what they were voting for as they had not discussed pros and cons
of adding 911 under the sheriff. TFT can't make an informed discussion
because we haven't as most of the county any information on this. As
usual things just go through without question. Was this one of Donnie's
ideas? Hey he is out and we better start thinking for ourselves. I
sure don't want council doing my thinking for me. 10/14/09 In Response to Minnie Mouse and others: FYI.... you really don't sound like you are modeling your
life after Jesus, so stop playing the WWJD card. I have read
countless times about Jesus and the money changers on TFT. Why
is it that I have not heard anyone mention all the times He was the only one
who was kind to the sinner. How about we talk about the adulturous women
at the wellI . Or if that is too much for you, how about Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus wasn't liked by anyone because he was rich... rich from taking money
from others I might add. But how did Jesus treat him? So yes, Jesus is angry at sin, but He is also a loving and merciful Saviour. So if you want to refer to Jesus in furture posts, lets not paint a picture only of anger. Jesus did not act the way you are acting.. 10/14/09 THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS
OF UNION 10/13/09 MELTDOWN-TFT GETS IT RIGHT AGAIN Well folks as you know TFT predicted months ago that the UDT would be in a MELTDOWN. Anna Brown, Brian Whitmore and Graham Williams have jumped ship and started their on paper called the Union County News. They state the following. Our employee handbook is the Bible. Our mission statement is the Golden Rule. We are your family, we are your friends and we are one of you. Well, all of this sounds real good and I hope they come through. Graham and Anna didn't give TFT a fair shake while they were at the UDT, maybe since they say we are family they will give us one now. Since Hyde Warner is not on staff maybe they can ask some hard hitting questions of political leaders that will keep them in check. Also, I do read the Bible and they may want to read the part where Jesus got mad and turned the tables over on the money changers. So we wish you the best in your new endeavor. We hope you will fight for truth and justice in the process. 10/13/09 hey,I can't for the new wal-mart gas station to open,first I can stand in line at one of the three cash registors that may be open ,and get my two cent discount card for gas, then next it's off to the pumps.Yep what a deal it only takes,about twenty minutes total and bam I've got gas,saved two cents a galllon,and the best thing is I helped wal-mart kill another small town u.s.a. yea wal-mart has everything, big aisles,lots of workers that know little about what little things the store has,but wait you can always drive to spartanburg they have more wal-marts and more merchandise.thanks so much for the dedicated wal-mart shoppers,just remember when you drive down main street and notice all the closed stores,pat your self on the back,and tell yourself what a good job you did. Oh then run to wal-mart and get a sandwich,chips,and a tank of gas,find a good parking space,take a deep breath and say I helped create this./ 10/13/09 But to me totally fair to Mr. Ready for some good news. His story may not have anything to do with recent actions of our local government. He may just have chosen the TFT website to inform it's readers that he has a pill-popping friend with a drug dealing son and that he is party to the crime. Afterall...TFT is a truth revealing medium and he may have just wanted to cleanse himself of that heinous information. So...if that is the case Mr. ..."news" please accept my apologies for assuming such. Signed,
Minnie Mouse
10/13/09 My life would stand up under such scrutiny. If I need prescription meds...then I get a frigging PRESCRIPTION!! Now..I don't know what ALL your friend told you but I know SOME of what she told you was a LIE. If she has a disease she's been diagnosed with then she is being treated for it. If she feels said treatment isn't enough...then she should go seek more medical advice. But the ONLY reason she should be seeking her son's services is if he's an MD. And I'm sure there are rules against that too. But...I think you're trying in a round about way to take up for the charges Donnie is facing for giving Bill the "four little white pills". Is Donnie an MD? Was he doing his wife's job in giving controlled substances? Did Bill produce ID and sign on the line? Also...I'm willing to bet that your "friend's" son didn't cause her illness...Bill's "nerves" needed settling because of the mess he AND Donnie were in. So...you may be right that a lot of people may have given someone else one of their pills to take...but I'm willing to bet that they knew it was against the law!! And if they didn't...then ignorance of the law is NO excuse. But this wasn't ignorance of the law...it was ARROGANCE of the law!! You can try to fix it up anyway you want...but he did it and there is a law against it and he broke it. It would have settled Bill's nerves, soul and spirit a lot more if Donnie had told him to confess his sin and take his punishment. But that wasn't his intentions...he was trying to further break the law and hide the TRUTH! I bet you couldn't get him to give you an Extra Strength tylenol right about now!! So...nice story...but that just won't flush Dude!! Big Bubba's taking your
buddy to the prom next year...Now...ain't that GOOD NEWS!!??
Yall people slay me trying to give the people who are revealing the
corruption hell all the while making up little fairytales to excuse the ones who
broke the law.
Plus...you might need to look into finding you some new friends because all
yours seem to be drug-dealers. Or the parents of them.
COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING TODAY, OCTOBER 13, 2009 AT 5:30 IN THE GRAND JURY ROOM OF THE COURTHOUSE. 10/13/09 Could someone please answer the following question, since we did not get a comment the first go round on 10/12/09 from Ready for some good news? 10/13/09 A friend came to my yesterday concerned that she and her son are going to be arrested. "Arrested for what", I asked. This woman is (to me) pure as the driven snow. "Drug charges", she replied. It seems that her son who lives in Columbia gave her a
controlled substance for pain
(she has fibromyalgia). He's
done this 4 or 5 times. Is he going to be charged with 5 counts of distributing
a controlled substance? Is she going to be charged with 5 counts of misprision
of a felony? Since she made me aware of the matter, could I be charged with
misprision of a felony?(misprision of a felony is basically knowing that a
felonious act has taken place and not notifying the authorities of the act.)
Should they turn themselves in?
My question to you was "Whose life could stand up under
such scrutiny?". We are talking about the law and what the law says and does. I
cannot find the relevance to my question in the posting that occurs
afterwards. Do not read more or less into the posting than what is presented.
Answer the above without rhetoric or reference to any ongoing actions of the
government.
Signed,
Ready for some good news.
10-13-09 A reader writes: If Mrs. Dora truly did go to church with the former supervisor she had better beware cause she is gonna be accused of being too Vanilla! LMAO!!!! 10-13-09 Sociopath "A person with antisocial personality disorder. Probably the most widely recognized personality disorder. A sociopath is often well liked because of their charm and high charisma, but they do not usually care about other people. They think mainly of themselves and often blame others for the things that they do. They have a complete disregard for rules and lie constantly. They seldom feel guilt or learn from punishments. Though some sociopaths have become murderers, most reveal their sociopathy through less deadly and sensational means." Does this sound like anyone you know Mrs. Dora Martin? Before I would go and sit on Mr. Betenbaughs church pew with him like you did this past Sunday, I think I would check out what is really going on with him. You see he has lied so much he has made you believe them and you are about to jump off the cliff with him. And we are supposed to feel all warm and fuzzy about your being Supervisor? You are an enabler just like all of the rest of Council and you make us sick! Why, even Jesus ran the money changers out of the temple! |
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10/12/09 For about 2 decades, my
prayer has been to see the chain of corrupt secrecy in our local
government and other entities exposed; well, by the power
of Jesus Christ, our lord, you have broken the backs of so many corrupt
entities, to include our local government. It is a breath of fresh
air to see these people exposed for what they have been perpetrating on the
people of our great city and county, fraud. Please do not stop until those
who have been on an appointed and or elected seat more that 4 years be
exposed. They should have voiced and voted their opposition to the corruption
that has existed for so long. They may be guilty with accessory to the fact
by their silence. It will be interesting to know how members voted to approve
the purchase of property and use of tax payers money while in office. I do not understand how
someone who is so close to a leader that were removed from office could be
appointed to serve as acting leader. I support the decision not to appoint an
assistant to lead the clerk of court but appointed the probate judge. I look forward to other
being removed or leaving their position if they have known about these
alleged criminal acts and did not come forward. Our community shall
prosper now because there is a godly cleansing of our government and other
organizations such as the one exposed for alleged wrongdoings earlier
this year. Also, those in other
private and public organizations should be shaking in their boots also
because there will be others revelations exposed soon. In closing, the words
of Jesus says that there is nothing hid that will not be exposed some day, therefore
fear not the corrupt leaders who make every effort through fear and
intimidation to silence you. |
10/12/09
Your
web site has been terrific and shed much light that has been needed for a long
time. Keep up the great work and may one day we be where we should be. Union is
a great place to live and this will make us stronger..For many of us we would
wait for the other to call, or report so thanks
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20091011/ARTICLES/910111011/1130?Title=Corruption-corrodes
Editorial in Spartanburg Herald
10/12/09
The way it looks, this may be the last christmas spent at home for many! I hate it for all the families involved!
So enjoy your christmas dinner
on the fine china because next year it will be on a cold steel plate!
10-12-09
As a citizen of this county who has been burdened by taxes, and from the looks of my new tax notice, am still so, I have a question for the powers that be. Can the citizens of Union recoup any of this money that was scammed from us by the perpetrators in this ongoing mess? Can council be held responsible for allowing Mr. Randall to be out of work for more than year all while drawing a salary from the county. Wasn't this done to keep him from squealing on the Supervisor? I know that they knew because I read it on this web site where many times you guys questioned his absence, questioned the council and they did nothing.
I believe he needs to pay this money back. I think all of the citizens, business owners and contractors ought to sue the County to recoup their money. Cant we make these crooks have to liquidate their assets in order to pay the people back? This whole ordeal makes me sick to my stomach, knowing what a mess they have gotten us in. And also I read in the paper where Mike Anthony is going to be at the next council meeting? That has to make everyone have a good belly laugh since he is also double-dipping, drawing a salary from the county and also as a representative. Talk about making us all feel better! Where have you been for the last year Coach? What a hypocrite!!!
10/11/09
In reply to the posting on 10/10/09 about LSP, as you know LSP was owned by Leapple and was bought by Gestamp of Spain. Gestamp is building a new facility in Tennessee for the new volkswagon plant .I feel everything at Union will be moved to the new facility and therefore, no more tooling taxes to Union!!!! From what i can understand, LSP is not doing that well at all!! Many times, corporations will buy another corporation for their business! Case in point Sonoco bought Paragon then closed Paragon!
10/11/09
Miss Martin how can you be so gullable as to think that the federal investegaters don't know what they are doing.i can assure you Miss Martin when they come and ask you about something,they already know the answer ; they just want to see if you are going to tell the truth or lie..By that statement you made on the news the other night,you just made the Mayor of Wellford look like a Harvard graduate..."BLESS YOU CHRIS CATO" BLESS YOU!!!
10/11/09
Should everyone that is indicted be charged also for damages to every citizen of this county??? I asked myself last night while thinking about what had happened the past week and about what others think about our little corrupt town! Knowing what was going on here and the charges brought before these, who would wanna bring a new industry here??? So actually what they are accused of hurts us all!
10/11/09
It seems that the "staff" of TFT is famous for dishing out critisism but not so great at taking it.. Just admit 10/10/09 poster has a valid point. Anyone can see that the site is poorly constructed. I have been reading this for quite some time and if this is the post you choose to call illogical, you need to backtrack on your older posts. Your Saturday staff meeting, or meeting of the minds for all you PHD's must have been so interesting. You Union people crack me up.
10/11/09
In reply to your last posting , as you know LSP was owned by Leapple and was bought by Gestamp of Spain. Gestamp is building a new facility in Tennessee for the new volkswagon plant .I feel everything at Union will be moved to the new facility and therefore, no more tooling taxes to Union!!!! From what i can understand, LSP is not doing that well at all!! Many times, corporations will buy another corporation for their business! Case in point Sonoco bought Paragon then closed Paragon!
10/11/09
If you notice in the article below it says that county officials say that we will get 2 million in taxes, I don't know about you but I do not trust anything our county officials have to say!
10/10/09
This is a response to the post 10/09 about the downside of tax incentives.
In response to the above post, I would like to point out that LSP and BMW are the largest taxpayers in Union county
http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2006/08/07/daily19.html
According to this article from the Charlotte Business Journal (and I believe this was in the UDT as well), they are paying $2 million a year starting in 2008. These taxes are primarily on the tooling that is used by LSP in the production of body parts and that tooling belongs to BMW. The taxes should still be paid, as long as the tooling is in Union county.
While it may take some time to recoup any incentives Union county gave away, it is better than approximately 130 people going the ranks of the unemployed or having to commute to surrounding counties for work. It is too bad that other companies have not located in Union, even if we have to offer incentives. Other suppliers for BMW have looked at Union but got no co-operation from our local officials and located elsewhere.
Maybe, now that we are removing the corrupted officials from office, we can get some jobs (and tax paying employers) into Union.
ANOTHER RESPONSE TO THE POSTER ON 10/10/09
Your letter to TFT had me rolling in the floor. I thought it was funny and had a staff meeting and it just made our day. We love a good illogical letter once in a while to make our day. My brain started turning when I started reading and thought you only need to get on the home page and go to the month you want, how hard was that and then I laughed and laughed. I thought if she can't go to the month she wants then how could she know that they were stealing her blind on her taxes. I got to think she is worried about how a web page is set up but she doesn't seem to mind them stealing millions of dollars and putting babies on the street to go hungry or doping up our youth to a lifetime of addiction. So at this point I had to read more. Then the writer goes to say we are not authorities on everything and who said we were? But we may have PHDs on our staff or contact PHDs, etc. --we will not say. If you would tell us who's name and the date we spoke about someone we could elaborate on this more but your letter tends to be somewhat illogical or even moronic. And your letter says a lot when you state you are grouchy. Whether you place your name or not we do not care. Make valid logical points is fine with me however letters like yours make me role in the floor and those really make my day.
10/10/09
BRAD MORRIS DID THE RIGHT THING
As a critic of Brad I now turn and say he has done the right thing by resigning his office and moving out of the way. I would encourage friends of his to ask him to plead guilty and turn over every bit of information he can to clean up Union. For his complete cooperation we should ask that he be given a reasonable sentence to be determined but his cooperation should bear strong weight in the solicitors and judges decisions.
10/10/09
Betenbaugh continues to abuse citizens of Union
As you know Betenbaugh had to be thrown out of office by the governor instead of doing the right thing and resigning. This is what he does to his friends and county after we see he is guilty as heck. The right thing to do Mr. Betenbaugh is turn over ALL information that you are hiding and the folks you are protecting and go and sell all assets and return them to the citizens of Union. Instead you will suck the system dry and eat until you pop. I hope that the legal profession will freeze all of his assets except what is earned by his wife. By Donnie's actions you will see what kind of man he really is.
10/10/09
TAX TIME IS HERE
Well folks tax time is here and you can thank government officials for your high taxes. Just think of all that corruption you get to pay for. And think of all the government waste that is going on. They even have a section that says, "special." Just look at your taxes when they come in.
10/10/09
Should there not be a rule that the county cannot employee family members of council or multiple family members???I do know of one company that does not allow employees to date other employees and that if they do start dating, that one must resign his or her position! Or, if they try to hide it and get caught, both will be terminated! I think this policy needs to be adopted! ASAP!
10/10/09
Hello,
I would like to express my gratification for the hard work that this site has provided for myself and all of the citizens of Union County! It was asked of the citizens of the county to send their feelings and concerns about what has been brought to light over the past week.
So, I sat down last night and wrote to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor and told them just how I felt about how things have been in our town for quite some time. I, myself, got in the groove of believing this was just how it was supposed to be when you grow up, become an adult and start paying taxes. Little did I know, that for the most part of my adult life, I and you as well, have probably been paying our taxes and for many other things that were not what we would consider our responsibility. What about our budget? Have these extra amenities been included in the configuration of our taxes? Do we all suppose our taxes would not be what they are if the proper figures were calculated? Have our properties been properly assessed?
I admit I have not been a player in the political games, UNTIL now! As all the rest of us should start by taking part and not leaving it all up to somebody else. It's kinda like when the power goes off? Do you call the power company? Or do you wait and see if someone else calls? What happens if no one calls?
WELL WAKE UP! WE SHOULD ALL LOOK AROUND! THE LIGHTS WERE OFF AND NO ONE CALLED! Thank you to all of the TFT group who actually started asking around to see if the lights were still there. Thank you for waking us all up to the fact something could actually be done.
So, again, I ask as well as the TFT group, to get those emails out, and if you know the old schoolers who need addresses, get it for them! Let's get it together! It's past time for the lights to come back on.
Thank you TIme for the Truth.
10/10/09
See that is exactly what I mean. People are always trying to find a hidden message in the actions or words of others. I have no friends named in this scandal. I can most certainly assure you of that. If that were something I was upset over, I simply would have said so. I am not one to "beat around the bush". I wrote the things I wanted to say.... period.
While there are many things people do not know .... the depth of your pockets (of atleast one of you) is not something people question. So come on, give us a little credit. And anyway, you don't need a web designer, just a little patience.
And I so appreciate your concern for my feelings about the website. So considerate of you!
10/10/09
In response to the previous post...Sounds like someone is upset because they have friends who got caught with their hands in the cookie jar. This website is not run like our government with such deep pockets it is run by folks that are not getting paid and cannot afford to hire professional web designers. However if you would like to make contribution to help us do a better job and hire some professionals we will gladly take some donations. Who said we thought we knew everything? We just know a little bit, even we did not expect the charges against some of these folks would be so severe!!! So go ahead and keep trying to protect those people who are obviously in the wrong we don't mind that either. Oh, by the way we will try and do a better job, just for you.
10/10/09
Just this week I started looking at this website.... and I am SO thankful for that! If I had been looking at this jumbled up mess for long, I would surely have lost my mind. This is the most unorganized web site I believe I have ever visited. As wise as you all think you are, I would think you could do better. I clicked the home page tab five times before realizing I was on the home page!!! After speaking to a friend who has been keeping up with the site (my friend no doubt has more patience that I) about this, I find out you did finally have the common sense to create tabs to separate monthly posts. I guess I should, at the very least, say thank you for that.
I will admit, that a lot of the information here has been helpful in shedding light on things that have been in the dark long enough. However, sometimes it just gets a little ridiculous, don't you think? I don't believe there is even the smallest issue or event in Union that you all don't believe you are an authority on, and let's be honest.... that just is not so. You don't know everything and everyone and I am certain you are wrong about some things.
Oh and one more thing: I can mostly understand why there are no names associated with this website. But if you are gonna call people by name who have been guilty of no crime and who have only done some things in a different way than you would have... have the balls to sign your name to it.
And since I am sure there will be questions as to why my name is not appearing here... my answer is this: I don't know who I am addressing this to. If I did, I would probably have more respect than to humiliate that person publicly for such a trivial thing as being ignorant about web sites. But let's just say I was feeling grouchy and did have some names to call, rest assured I would gladly attach my name.
10/10/09
We must break this chain or cycle where people here vote based on who they like or know and are acquainted with. For instance who in their right minds would have ever put someone like Joey English in office. He immediately went in and fell right under Betenbaugh’s spell. English did not have enough about him to remember that the people voted him into office. He should be ashamed for turning his back on Union County to appease Donnie Betenbaugh. Why did he not ever research what the end results could be for giving big tax breaks? Research shows that big incentives do nothing more than break a small populated county or parish.
No, what he wants to do just like a lot of folks is defend what the Supervisor suggests without doing his own homework. Come on people we better think about this in future elections. We must get our County at least back to the basics and cut corners where we can to recuperate.
Also, where were Tommy Ford, Chump Hanvey and Dora Martin when homework came into play. They along with English have defended Betenbaugh and put him on a pedestal like he was the ultimate authority and did not need questioning. Well look where we are right now and some of you Council people should be held accountable!!!!
10/10/09
A reader writes:
Why should anyone be surprised now why you guys would not reveal who you are? I understand perfectly well as do most of the intelligent population of this town who were suspicious of what was going on for years? The news media were puppets in the pockets of these guys all along, and the Mayor? His record speaks volumes. He has a $60,000.00 job that is so far over his head its pathetic. You people keep up the good work. We out here in the real world applaud your efforts for the time and bravery it took to bring justice to Union!
10-10-09
To Union County Citizens:
As the saying goes "We love it when a plan comes together." Union County we are on our way to the plan coming together! We are going to pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off, and rebound. But first we have to trudge a little through the dung piles. Hang in there folks! You are the best anywhere!
10-10-09
Dear Readers:
We have received numerous emails concerning several offices and requests that we please post that not all of the public officials in the Court House are involved. While investigations are ongoing and we can neither state with any certainty about others who may be involved we will say that we have not found any evidence or heard any bad remarks about Brad Valentine, Auditors Office, Diane Wilkins, Treasurers Office, or Donna Cudd, Probate Judges Office. It appears that these public servants are running their offices like they are supposed to...in a professional manner!
10/10/09
For Dave Fant :
It is said that there is a place & a time for everything.It is not always,for us to know or to understand many things.Sometimes,"it is what it is".Many people in our county never knew or met Dave.(I only briefly met him during a recount at the court house between Mr.English & my preferred candidate).It's almost if he just "was".We saw many of his (researched) writings in "letters to the editor" in the UDT and TFT. He presented many true facts with objective evidence.
In light of this week's revelations,I think it appropriate to share the words of the "Preacher". Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 To everything there is a season, and
a time to every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and
a time to die;
a time to plant, and
a time to pluck up
that which is planted;
A time to kill, and
a time to heal;
a time to break down, and
a time to build up;
A time to weep, and
a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and
a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and
a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and
a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and
a time to lose;
a time to keep, and
a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and
a time to sow;
a time to keep silence, and
a time to speak;
A time to love, and
a time to hate;
a time of war; and
a time of peace.
When times are better and there are going to be better times for
"If we can dream it, with God's help,we can do it!!
When we have had time to heal,I think that there should be a bronze plaque dedicated to honor the memory of Dave Fant and to remind generations yet to come that we owe it to ourselves now and those in the future,honesty, integrity and prosperity for all of our citizens.
May God bless and heal the broken hearts of Dave's family & friends now during this time of his loss and in the time to come.
It is also our prayer that God will be with the families and especially the children of those who have deceieved & betrayed the citzens of this "Great City & County of UNION".
I hope that TFT will soon start a memorial fund for Dave's plaque.
I will definitely contribute!!
Thank You God for what we have!!
Please help us protect it!!
10/10/09
How bad does union county need
your tax money ????
The citizens of UNION COUNTY received the 2009 tax
notices today that are due 12/31/2009, I think everyone should wait until the last day to pay .I know for a lot of people this is going to be hard to pay at that time .It seems that the county can operate even with the hundreds of thousands of dollars stolen from the tax payers.
It appears our taxes could be reduced instead of increasing ever year .I am a life long resident of UNION and living on a fixed income with no hope of getting an increase in SOCIAL SECURITY for the next two years or more,and it is going to be almost impossible to pay my tax .I think you will see a much longer list in the UDT for unpaid taxes than previous years .More and more residents will be leaving UNION COUNTY .
10/10/09
Thank you for exposing all the corruption in
10/10/09
FOR THOSE WHO REMEMBER
On 9-26-09 TFT did a report on the Titanic. You can reread or just a note is to say, "we have hit that berg."
10/10/09
PAYBACK TIME---GONE ARE:
Bruce Morgan--indicted for corruption-in prison
Jeff LAWSON-indicted for corruption-in prison
Howard Wells-indicted
Joe LAWSON-voted out of office
Fran Bailey-voted out of office
Bill Randal-indicted
Donnie Bentenbaugh-indicted
Brad Morris-resigned and expected to be indicted
NEXT UP?
Numbers keep growing
10-10-09
Brad Morris has resigned. Here is his resignation letter:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/20865496/Brad-Morris-Resignation-Letter
10/9/09
I am sad to say that
What company or family will want to move here after they know that our elected officials are corrupt and have stolen innocent childrens money...how could they!!!
All we can do is pray that the ones who have gotten away with this awful behavior will be caught and be held responsible for many years!
I also pray for the innocent families and children in this county...
10/9/09
Update:
The Union County Clerk of Court's office is being audited.
Isn't it about time!
10/9/09
I agree with poorgirlinunion.
It makes me so angry that we who are working hard and are trustworthy are barely making a living. We've paid taxes to help those corrupt people get rich and do who knows what with the money. Build homes, barns, build swimming pools, buy cars, throw away on drugs???
Maybe there is something that can be done to help those of us who are hardworking and honest.
Another thing that is getting under my skin is the fact that people are saying we just need to pray for them and quit gossiping about them. I agree completely with praying for them and especially their spouses or children or other family who have been brought into this without their knowledge. But it was the "corrupt ones" choice to do what they did. Maybe if the "corrupt ones" had sought prayer before doing what they were doing, it would have saved a lot of things. As far as gossiping about them, the "corrupt ones" have brought this upon themselves. If it is us, honesty, hardworking, tax paying citizens who are trying to figure this out. It was our money they stole and used for their own greed.
10/9/09
MELTDOWN
Brad Morris -Clerk of Court is going down on MELTDOWN
Stay tune to MELTDOWN for more MELTDOWNS
10/9/09
In response to dear readers posted on 10/9/09, I would like to take the time and thank you for all your hard work for this website. This needed to be done for a long time and I am just glad that there are some brave people who was/is willing to put the information on the table for everyone to see.
I apologize for the fac that some people are so bitter and hateful to make physical threats to keep their "dirty" deeds hidden. Thank you for protecting this community and bringing the corruption into the light without people like you Union County would not have had a prayer being a community in the next 20 years. Maybe now we can restart anew and bring Union back and forward into the future.
Thank you again!
10/9/09
It is hard to know someone who would be honest in the supervisors position, because who knows who is not involved in the corruption. I don't think it should be Ms. Martin or any present council members.I think we should swamp the Gov. office with complants if this happens.God help us
10/9/09
Mrs. Goodman,
Thank you for the post. David was a crusader. Everything he did, was out of his love for Union, And also for the love of the citizens of this county. We all have lost a very good friend, and a true patriot.
10/9/09
The below is a good thought. May be should contact our US representative for information some type of relief. I urge you to do so.
10/9/09
I am a small business owner barely paying the bills to keep the doors open, business has been bad for months and months, however, since this scandal has been brought to light, our business has come to a standstill... I was just wondering if there is any kind of federal disaster relief for this kind of corruption...No, I am not kidding, I'm was just curious..it seems to me there would be some kind of federal assistance for our county, I know there is assistance for different types of victims of crime and we the people of Union are the victims... It makes my blood boil thinking that we are honest hardworking people and there are hundreds of us that just barely scrape by and to know how corrupt and how rich these people were getting... anyway, I have read your site for as long as you have had it and thank you so much!!!!! Please check into this to see if we can get anything from the government..I think it would be worth a shot! Thanks, poorgirlnunion
10/9/09
http://www2.wspa.com/spa/news/local/article/dell_cuts_900_jobs_in_north_carolina/27837/
The link above brings up the question…Does giving tax incentives work for your local or state government or does it work to benefit the company only? Dell just decided to pull out of NC and the Governor decides to make them pay back what was in the contract for incentives. This plant closing will put a big burden on NC just like the plants that have come to Union and are not paying taxes. LSP is just changing hands in Union and I do not believe they have done their part for the people of Union as far as the tax basis. We have to be smarter than this people, we have to find a Supervisor that is smarter and will not sell us out. Tax incentives are sometimes necessary to bring in industry but our people cannot carry the entire burden. We brought this to the attention of many of the council people. Donnie sold us out on this one and I do not believe that any of the council knows what the contract for this deal even states. Our Council must go back over the terms to determine where we stand with LSP and where we stand when another company takes over. Can you do this guy? After all it is tax dollars that this county desperately needs? Mr. English you were confronted on several occasions about how much taxes this county would benefit from on LSP and you said this would never cause Union a problem because they were paying!
10/9/09
Who do you think would be a good person to run Union County? We need to start thinking about someone that can help us to bring this county out of the gutter. There are some smart people among us and we need to ban together as a united group to come to a decision as to a good leader, mentor and role model for Union County. When the special write in election for the Mayor came about it seemed like everyone came out of the woodwork. It is difficult to get a good capable leader in office when so many are running because usually the person we need gets overlooked all because it becomes such a popularity contest and the votes are so scattered.
Email saveunion@yahoo.com and let us know who you think can help Union County, and remember just because you like someone or they are your friend does not mean they can manage a multi-million dollar business. Although education should be a factor and is a plus it does not necessarily mean that the most educated can do the best job. We need someone who can produce for the best interest of Union.
There are some folks out there with very little education that can do a better job that what we have had in the past so keep that in mind also. Matter of fact a third grader could have done better from the looks of it now. Experience in making good deals for this county would also be a plus. We need someone with good communication skills and someone that has brass and will not back down and will protect us from what has happened to us in the past. Folks this is a very serious issue right now. We must change every aspect of how things have been run in Union. The crooks have been in office for years and this has to change. We actually need a person that is established and is not in the job for the money, so do your homework and rack your brain to think of the next Supervisor for Union.
If we are lucky maybe the Governor will actually change the structure of our government and hire a competent person to run the City and the County!
10/9/09
MY APOLOGY TO SARAH GOODMAN
I want you to know that I am sorry for the word I chose in the earlier article. My reasoning was to have a good tile for our readers attention not to cheapen his work. I appreciate you scolding me because doing so you revealed many of the positive qualities about Dave that would not have come out. So I shall try to pick my words more carefully when writing. I and I alone wrote and am responsible for using that word. Thanks for keeping me on target. Again we appreciate Dave's service to this community and we feel sorry in your great loss.
10-9-09
Dear Readers:
It has been our goal since this web page started to bring to light corruption in this community. Over the past year we have gotten emails that were threatening, been ridiculed in public, and even had people ridiculed who were not even remotely connected to this web site. We have been sued in an effort to shut us down, and we have even temporarily shut ourselves down because we thought that the battle was just so overwhelming and the task before us grew as the circle of people involved grew. Our friend Dave Fant contributed many letters as well as many hours of research helping us to connect the dots. We are just so sad that he never got to see the fruits of his efforts and so sorry for the public humiliation he endured and the almost physical threats he received. Several times he along with the rest of our group almost gave up because it became downright dangerous. Many of you wanted to know why we never came out and revealed who we were and now you know. We all felt that we were working against a situation that was somewhat similar to organized crime. We feared more for the safety of our children, grandchildren, and spouses. Now you all can see why we choose not to reveal who we are, and our numbers are many. We come from diverse backgrounds; Business people, retirees, moms, dads, and even a few grandparents. We have worked to uncover so many things and there are so many things that we could not and would not share because they were just so scary. We knew that they would come after us with every thing in their power and their power was great. We can breathe a sigh now that justice has finally come to these perpetrators. We are so sorry for their families and especially for their children, but we are not sorry for them. They made a conscience effort to lie, steal, and deceive the people of Union, wasting thousands if not millions of taxpayer monies for purely self-serving motives. While our town has suffered and we will not recover for a long time, we can heal and will heal. We only ask that you as citizens start today to help the healing process by asking questions of your leaders. Get involved. We ask that every time you go to the polls to cast a vote you remember these times and vote for the person you feel can best represent you. There is a lot more to come and you all are going to be shocked even more at just how far reaching these crimes are, but remember one day our house will be clean and we will get through this and Union will again be on the map for good things. We are a wonderful community with a lot of good still here but now is the time to unite for the sake of our future!
10/9/09 From an email
Poor Brad Morris BooHOO HOO the good ole' boys gave ya up Braddy. I always liked you Brad but, I had noticed that the past year or two you had began to act really snooty and had began to change those honest folks you associated with to the sneaky jokers that sold you out. Brad I know you are a smart person which is what makes this all so hard since you are making those of us who live here in
10/9/09
I am David Fant's stepdaughter and I just want to start by saying that Dave was one of the most honorable and ethical men that I have ever met in my life. It troubles me that anyone would use the word "revenge" when referring to all of the tireless hours that he worked to expose what was happening in
Thank you,
Sarah A. Goodman
10/8/09
As someone who has grown up in this county I am so dissappointed in the fact that these "authority" figures have harmed not only the adult population but the youth population because of greed. It's time for those in
10/8/09
Pool Party at Donnie Betenbaugh’s house @ 7pm… since it’s paid for by Union County Citizens!
10/8/09
DAVE FANT'S REVENGE
Right before Dave Fant passed away he had been doing underground research for years on corruption in Union. He had been tracking people at all hours of the night and had a network of tons of information. He had put all the facts into his computer and was waiting to expose tons of stuff. He sent this information to the FBI, SLED, and TFT, and 10 others 2 days before he got sick. Dave mentioned he got to be pretty good friends with a couple of the agents. So all Dave's information has been turned over and he is just laughing his self silly. So thanks Dave we are watching your hard work pay off. And thanks FBI and SLED for making things so sweet. Sincerely, TFT