Thanks to the forum administrator for calling special attention to my post on the article I am writing.

And I appreciate the responses posted on this site. But I cannot use these posted comments in my story. There must be a person-to-person, verbal interview, most likely by telephone. I must know the name of the participant if his or her comments are to be included in the article.

Thus, if you are willing to be part of this story, e-mail your name and a phone number where you can be reached to rlwilson2594@charter.net. If you desire, we can withhold your screen name from the story. But we do not print unattributed or anonymous quotes.

So far I have only one e-mail from a prospective interviewee. It would seem a shame if that person, though an apparently responsible commentator, became a spokesperson for all Blount County bloggers by default. I would like a broader spectrum of thought than that. Please join the conversation

Robert Wilson

I think most on this site have no interest in doing news paper reporting. Obviously, you and other reporters have visited this site to see what the other "other side" is saying. At times, bloggers on this site read the local papers and come up with questions. Like some of the questions in this thread (link...) or this (link...) one. I don't care if the answers come from Blount Today, Daily Times, local TV news, newsletters, this blog or a blog the "other side" might create to get out their point of view. In fact, I'd love to hear it. Although, the other side may need at least two blogs as it seems the GOP faction doesn't always agree with Republicans who seek accountability.

I personally think our local government is wasting around $10 million of my and my fellow tax payers money. Currently, most all the work being done in the gulf right now is being done by volunteers. I'm pained to know how much better our community would take care of our own if we only had the extra money to do so.

So when I hear things like, “No further investigation,” Bennett said, “is warranted or planned.”; I know that any communication with my government is going to end up in "that's old news" or we'll communicate with CTAS and get back to you on that. Remember all the discussion about the vehicle inventory before Bennett claimed all is well? Of course you don't, because commissioners that asked were told by the Sheriff that wasn't something he intended to discuss. So if our representatives can't get strait answers and the press can't get strait answers - what makes you think individuals can? A blog not only lets these questions openly linger, with constant answers that sometimes lead to more questions, but they can also be a historical point of reference when the truth (or some semblance of it) is exposed.

The story is not about who - it's about what. If you find something here you don't know the answer to, there may be a story there. If you deem it's not newsworthy, disregard it. If you find something that is newsworthy - try to get it printed for a larger audience. That's all this blogger ask.

SeeJaneRide
As you are well aware Robert, the GOB in this community will stop at nothing to maintain their power positions. For the safety, and I do mean safety, of posters with the real goods, it's important to maintain anonymity. Just ask anyone who has called this administration into question. Some have been followed home, some have had sheriff's cruisers "block" their cars from leaving public meetings, some are flat-out threatened. For example, last night at the commission meeting, the sheriff was overheard (with his finger pointing in the man's face) threatening to sue an elderly man who had questions about the still-missing cars. These people play for keeps, and they have no problem doing whatever it takes to keep power securely in their grip. Be careful who you "expose" in your article. You will be setting them up for harassment, or worse.

Wouldn't you love to the see Berrong in front of 12 of his peers? "Could you please explain why this (link...) exhibit is not correct?"

If the county wants to raise revenue, put that on pay-per-view.

There are stories of serious threats and intimidation all over the county, but no one will talk to you, Mr. Wilson, nor any of your peers, nor would we suggest that they should. The risk is too great; the danger too real.

Many bloggers and others online have ventured out to take a look at the disposition/acquisition forms that "put to rest" the issue of the BCSO cars found here (link...) (Select under the heading "Public Safety" patrol cars disposed 36. This may take a minute or two to load)

While the problems with this "inventory list" are too many to address here, one easy question for the local press could be why out of 36 cars, only 6 were actually disposed of in FYE 2006. Maybe the local press can figure out how a car sold in 1997 (page 31) helped reconcile a count for FYE 2006.

Or maybe not; (link...)

If you do choose to look at the list; print it, then save it. These type things have a tendency to go lost or suffer changes.

Daily Times owned Blount Voice has entered the blogasphere. It looks to be a gathering place for their reporters and editors to get news out. Shame they have no other outlet.

I found an article by a local reporter who gives his 3 laws of Journalism. Number 2 is;

2) If it's in plain sight, it's probably not a smoking gun.

(link...)

I guess we can assume this reporter has looked at the BCSO car inventory and decided it's typical for receipts not to have dates (pg 28, 33, 35, 37, 39 etc) or that faxes don't have fax id (pg 10) or that the purchasing directors dates don't match BCSO claimed sale dates (pg 22, 27, 29, 38 etc)? (link...)

I guess it could only be many, many, many paper work errors. Kind of like being physically harassed at dinner only constitutes a bad meal. I guess only a smoking gun that's visible is something to worry about. I mean that pdf is 86 pages, who has the time?

Also, on the linked Blount Voice page to the left you will see links to other resources. But not this blog or other Democrat blogs. Who is the Daily Times/Blount Voice serving?