Marion County Attorney Joe Shepard
By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher
Marion County officials have refused to explain how taxpayer money is specifically used at a local economic development district.
County Attorney Joe Shepard responded via certified letter today to a records request filed by the Marion County Informer last week. The records request asked that Marion County Economic Development District Executive Director Jerry Frazier reveal in detail what the $96,000 in county taxpayer money pays for at the MCEDD.
The 2009-2010 MCEDD budget states that the county gave the MCEDD $96,000 for “Operating expense for MCEDD (management, professional services, etc.)” The Informer’s records request asked that Frazier provide a detailed breakdown of line items that the $96,000 pays for.
In response to the records request, Shepard, counsel for the MCEDD, stated, “The Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983 does not require, nor does it in any way imply that a public body or employee is under any obligation to spend time and resources explaining to you a document that you already have in your possession.”
The Informer’s records request also asked for a detailed breakdown of how $100,000 in county taxpayer money was used at the private non-profit Marion County Development Partnership. Columbia City Clerk Donna McKenzie said the city also gives the MCDP $40,000 annually. Shepard stated in his response that he was only responding to the portion of the records request dealing with the MCEDD.
The Informer filed a separate records request last week asking that Jerry Frazier, who is the president of the MCDP and the executive director of the MCEDD, reveal his salary since both organizations he is over receive taxpayer funds. The Informer has yet to receive a response from the request asking for Frazier’s salary.
The proposed 2010-2011 MCEDD budget once again asks that the county give the MCEDD $96,000 for “operating expense” and the MCDP $100,000 for “operating expense.”
Sniff, Sniff, What’s that smell?? Is it in the wind or did I just step in it?? Snif cough gag.
lol…but i agree with you.
Seems like they have something to hide. Keep digging Josh
Lets refuse to pay taxes until the records are made public. This kind of waste and mentality has to stop in marion county. It has gotten out of hand. The citizens of marion county have had to cut back due to the recession its time for our elected officials to do the same. Lets hold them accountable or get rid of them. Lets take our county back.
Sounds like this could be a good rabbit to chase. Great job MCI. Keep them on there toes. I am so glad you r not one of dem good old BOYS
Well, apparently there is something being covered up. I think we as tax payers have a right to know.
Thank you, Josh, for digging into these things. Things like this have been hidden from Marion Co. residents way too long. Keep up the good work! There are a lot more things we need to know!
The plot thickens. The MCEDD must have a bookkeeper and auditor that can quickly find these requests. Why does Mr. Shepard think it will be spending so much “time and resources” to forfeit this info? Stay on it Josh. Would you like to run for mayor?
Wonder if the phrase, “there is something rotten in Denmark”(columbia), rings any mental bells marion co residents? Or how about,”ours is not to reason why, ours is but to do(pay) or die.”
Wonder WHEN THE VOTE FROM OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS occurs on this proposed “operating expense”? As citizens, we should go en mass and/or via signed petition and demand that taxpayer monies not be appropriated. If the organization wants to be secretive and stingy about info and expenditures, then we should be just as secretive and stingy with our hard earned money.
MY WORD! GET A LIFE JOSH! SEEMS LIKE MR. SHEPARD ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION EARLIER. HAVE YOU NEVER READ THE C-P OR LISTENED TO OUR LOCAL RADIO STATIONS? SOUNDS LIKE FRAZIER HAS THINGS GOING. THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER TOPICS THAT YOU CAN REPORT ON THAT WOULD HELP THE COMMUNITY. WE WILL ALL BE LIVING IN MARION COUNTY AND PAYING TAXES HERE WHEN YOU ARE OFF IN ANOTHER STATE. HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED CAUSING UNJUST HARD FEELINGS JUST FOR YOUR KICK OR MAKE A BUCK JOSH. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU. WE WILL PRAY FOR YOU.
P.S. IF YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD I WILL PARY FOR YOU CALL 601-736-1360 I AM SURE THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO PLAY IT FOR YOU……….
@ tired of josh
I am sorry if you lose your job…I mean that is the only reasonable explanation that I can think of as to why you would be on here defending your tax dollars going to “operating expenses” without ever stopping to question what that entails.
I listen to the local radio and read the CP. I also have eyes to look around and see that the above in question have accomplished very little that actually has brought, kept, or potentially attracted any business to Marion Co. How many non-local businesses have you seen come to Columbia in the last decade? How many businesses have closed in the last decade? How many people have to travel outside of Marion Co. for work? I base my opinion on the answer to those questions…not the fluffy “lines” that the radio and CP feed me every week.
“Methinks he doth protest too loudly”
tired of josh mitchell: Your words have the quintessence of dust.Perhaps you are highly fed and lowly taught.SHepard did give an answer, it just wasn’t the answer to the question.The actual answer to the question will help our community,and, if people act on the info, it will help our community far more than some fluff article.The truth is something to be embraced-not discarded.So who do you really think the truth will hurt -citizens or the people benefitting from citizen money?If you are really interested something beneficial for the community, then instead of praying for josh, pray for some relief for the over taxed citizens of this county.Better yet, take action-God helps those who help themselves.,
God, as is true of the devil, is usually found in the details.
What in the world is happening to our town and elected officials. Marion county should appreciate what your doing Josh. How do we as citizens of Marion county not deserve the right to know where out money is going?
Shepard’s reply has rendered me speechless—–almost.
I just can’t figure out why the past MCDP tax forms show no salary for Frazier. This certainly is puzzling. All I want to know is who is paying him and how much he makes. That’s not at all unreasonable if he is, indeed, being paid with public funds. If someone else pays him, I just don’t get why he doesn’t disclose that fact and I’ll shut up. Until then, I’ll keep questioning and digging and complaining!
are you kidding me??? keep up the good work josh. a non-answer from them is unacceptable. this is CRAZY!
I too wonder when the board of aldermen and the board of supervisors will be voting to give this money to them. It is nice to sit on the MCI and complain when identity is hidden, but how many of us will be brave enough to go to the board meeting and demand to either know (in detail) what the money has and will be spent on -OR- demand that our tax dollars not go to these org’s??????
This is just plain ridiculous. It looked bad before, but Shepard’s response should make the ears raise on each and every citizen in Marion County. There is no reason why this information should not be released, whether they are legally required to or not. Taxpayer funds are supporting them….so we deserve a more detailed explanation than “operating expenses.” For crying out loud, the SSA spent 700k, under operating expenses, for lavish training getaways- http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=8084663&page=1 Point being that if we dont watch our tax dollars…no one will.
I wonder if it would take a local or state law passed to force revalation of line-item budgets and expenditures? Somebody let me know and I’ll sign the petition along with passing copies out wherever I can.
Y’Know there’s getting paid and there’s getting paid – Not all of the pay crosses the top of the table; mind you I’m not making accusations.
Did anyone see the news article out of Bell, California today? It seems the citizens there got a bait of underhanded dealings culminating with one citizen saying he wouldn’t be satisfied until he saw the Mayor and Aldermen wearing orange jump suits! Several city officials resigned and the Mayor said he wouldn’t seek re-election.
The rank and file citizens are taking back their local governments one-by-one and the Tea Party movement has had a large influence on all of it, I believe.
Hooray for us! I’ll continue working behind the scenes in the “enemy’s” camp.
I disagree that the tea party movement had anything to do with this. It happened because of the dedication and hard work of one single journalist. Come on. Give credit where credit is due—-and thank a journalist next tinme you spot a real one in Columbia!
Of course you are right in giving Josh the credit he richly deserves and I’m indeed thankful for his in-depth investigation and reporting but my point is that he has awakened a mass of people willing to lend voice to his support.
He is the leader of an awakening group of people who are finally taking the country back to its financial supporters, we the taxpayers. Taxation without representation was the underpinning of this nation and one of the symbols of this revolution was the original “Boston Tea Party” which told England that the colonists would no longer pay taxes to them because they had no official voice in the English government. The new Tea Party is simply a reminder of that original concept. My apologies if you took offence at my excluding credit to Josh Mitchell.
If any of the readers of MarionCountyInformer would care to support Josh in his laudable efforts with one-time or continuing financial support simply click on the “Support Us” tab at the top of this page… I do.
Your willingness to immediately jump to insult the Tea Party movement every time it is mentioned is unbelievable! And it makes me suspicious of just what kind of a grudge you are holding against other citizens who want to be politically active by speaking out on whatever they feel needs changing. It also makes you look a little one dimensional. I believe that New Voice of Reason was referring to not only this MCEDD issue, but the fact that people all over the country are starting to take notice and fight back against injustice. In no way did I take that to mean that Josh has not done an outstanding job in bringing to light things we all should have been aware of already. And I think New Voice of Reason would be the first one to give Josh praise for that. So please quit looking for opportunities to get off the subject by starting something when there’s nothing there.
Points well taken, evil twin. Thanks. I’ll try to quit going all nuttty all over the tea baggers. That whole group just irks me.
I know what you’re talking about better now, “formerly known as concerned ” – I take offence at some of the individuals as well.
The right to be able to lend voice to cause is paramount though and I’ve learned and changed over my life by listening to people I originally disagreed with.
Thank you founders of America for making the First Ammendment the First Ammendment!
Peace to you.
I am so glad Josh let’s us agree to disagree here. I think you’ll find that I generally attack issues instead of people. That’s just me, though. I’m big enough (and certainly old enough) to know that when someone hurls a personal insult my way, I tend to see the insult rather than the inderlying issue—-momentarily. My goal is to someday be every bit as diplomatic as evil twin. Thanks again twin for calling me out in such a kind way.
Thank you evil twin. I wrote a response but it’s still pending approval about a week later. I’m assuming it got lost in the shuffle and I’d love to have it posted but you supported my position admirably. It may be pending because I entered a last line soliciting financial support for MarionCountyInformer.
Claims paid are public record. Why don’t you quit signing petitions and attending rallies and go to city hall and review the expenditures? The world doesn’t need anymore behind the scenes people. It needs courageous, forthright and intelligent people who are willing to learn the parameters and make reasonable requests. Why try to reinvent the wheel? In summary, the information for which your asking is there. Now go get it. Just saying.
Speaking of Petitions, I understand that there is one circulationing around the Police Dept. as er speak. Is this true?
To ‘Not Strong Enough’: I have not heard anything about a petition circulating around the police department, but would love to know what you’re referring to! Is is BY the PD or FOR the PD or AGAINST the PD, or what?? Please tell us. Inquiring minds want to know!
Here’s a link on the stink from California:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66M5A420100723?type=domesticNews
I’ve never thought about how much retirement our elected officials get or how it’s funded! (Another) One of those things that make you go, “Hmmmmmmmmm?”
Good job Josh KEEP up the great work you are doing. Sounds like you have them on the defensive. It is HIGH time for ALL elected officials to take notice the PEOPLE are informed due to your reporting.
I’m confused. Im sure that MCEDD and MCDP both have a “budget” that they follow. It is supposed to be in writing. Why would it have been so difficult to provide this budget to show where the money goes. Yes, Fiscal Year 2010 may notbe complete, but surely they are keeping up with where they are now? And a lined item budget surely was prepared to figure out what they will need for 2011? What extra resources would it have taken to make a copy? This is our (taxpayer) money and yes I would like to know it is being spent wisely. When someone starts blowing “smoke” it does make you wonder why and what are they hiding. And as the adage goes, “Where there is smoke, there is fire”. Therefore, I’m guessing some of the budget items will/could make a few taxpayers hot.
Jackson needs to get involved in this………
Please – Not yet! Let us get the facts before they are buried deeper.
jOSH For MAYOR!
THIS IS TO tired of josh mitchell. JOSH IS THE ONLY WAY THE REAL PEOPLE OF THE CITY AND COUNTY CAN GET THE REAL STORY. IT SEEMS LIKE YOU MAY HAVE MORE INVOLVED THAT JUST A GRIPE.MYSELF,AS WELL AS ALL OF THE COMMENTS ( EXCEPT YOURS ) WANTS TO KNOW WHERE THE 100.OOO TO 150.000 THOUSAND DOLLARS ARE GOING THAT WE AS TAX PAYERS ARE PAYING.AND I AGREE WITH LOGO.IF THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BRINGING ALL OF THESE NEW BUSINESS IN, WHERE ARE THEY. SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE MORE MOVING OUT THAN COMMING IN. JOSH I THINK YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB. MABY THAT IS WHAT THIS CITY AND COUNTY NEEDS IS TO HURT SOME PEOPLES FEELINGS. THANKS JOSH AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.