Marion County Supervisor Raymon Rowell
By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher
“My salary is a public record, and the rest of the county workers’ salaries are public record.”
That’s how County Supervisor Raymon Rowell responded this afternoon when the Informer asked him if he thinks Marion County Development Partnership President Jerry Frazier’s salary should be released to the public.
“Anybody who wants to know my salary is free to know that,” said Rowell. “That’s basically the way I see it.”
Rowell would not respond with a direct yes or no answer on whether he thinks Frazier’s salary should be released to the public. Rowell said he does not know Frazier’s salary.
Rowell also would not comment when the Informer asked him if he thinks the county should once again fund the MCDP with $100,000 in fiscal year 2010-2011, which begins Oct. 1.
Board of Supervisors President Calvin Newsom could not be reached for comment to ask whether he thinks Frazier’s salary should be made public. Supervisors Randy Dyess and Lloyd Fortenberry also could not be reached for comment.
The Marion County Informer filed a formal public records request this morning asking that Frazier’s salary be disclosed since the MCDP has received taxpayer funding. Frazier said the MCDP received $100,000 in county funds last year. In addition, the city of Columbia gives the MCDP $40,000 annually, said City Clerk Donna McKenzie.
Other than funding from the city and county, the only other money the MCDP receives is from its 250-260 members, said Frazier. The MCDP is a private non-profit economic development organization that works to attract jobs and industry to Marion County, Frazier has said.
Frazier has said that the county actually funds the Marion County Economic Development District, which then passes the $100,000 through to the MCDP. Frazier is the executive director of the MCEDD.
The Informer has published two other articles on this matter that can be read by clicking these links: http://bit.ly/cUX97v http://bit.ly/bpZBBr
Well, I thank Rowell for being able to be reached for comment. I understand why he thinks he can’t speak for the rest of his fellow supervisors. I also think I get his inference when he states that his salary and others who are paid by taxpayers is public record. However, I know that I am against more big dollar funding of the MCDP and I believe that Rowell and his fellow supervisors should consider their accountability to the taxpayers before handing over another $100,000.While Rowell is up front about his salary, seems the moneycitizens have unknowingly invested MCDP is not so easily acccounted for.When taxes,etc. are increased, people need to be assured that their money is not being spent unwisely.
I am just curious why the board president and other supervisors can hardly ever be reached for a comment.
Moving on… I respect Supervisor Rowell for not making a knee jerk decision here. Let’s get the facts about how the funding is being spent and the salary info before we go to saying whether or not it should or shouldn’t be funded. If they refuse to release that info, then it is certainly time to say NO FUNDING!!!!!!
The county gives them 100k a year… and then in return what does the county get? I’m sure each supervisor would love to split that 100k and invest into their beats. Just a month or so ago who was showing the Traing School…or what about on the the 12th?Forestry Association wants to grow Marion County timber industry
No mention of the MCDP. Just FYI..