Contribute an Article to the FC Concerned Citizens Website!

Have you heard of the "Franklin County Committee of 100"? The group is rarely discussed in official county meetings but it is, by most accounts, one of the more powerful county organizations. A close-knit group of good-old-boys & gals who are believed by many to be the puppetmaster of Franklin County government. This perception stems from the fact that many government officials are part of the Co100 membership roster, as are many of the companies & business-owners with whom the county does business on a regular basis.

The group was originally formed under the name "Franklin County Local Development Corporation" back in August of 1981. The original Board members were Felix Allen, LeelanWoodlief, and Willie Bartholomew.

The corporation's name was officially changed to it's current name in November of 1983. The original Articles of Incorporation required seven Directors, but this was changed by Amendment in February of 1984 to a requirement for eleven Directors.

Membership requires a $100-$300 per year contribution for individuals and $500 for corporations. The majority of the Committee's current members are either owners or managers of companies within the county, though only 5 have Corporate Memberships. Just 11 of the members not listing a business affiliation are names that aren't immediately recognizable as as being affiliated with local or state government in some way.

So, is there a problem here? Maybe some or all of these folks are just putting their money where their mouths are and supporting Franklin County's growth. Maybe it's just a bizarre coincidence that 11 of the EDC's 22 commissioners & board members are also Committee of 100 contributors.

No matter who is on the Co100 or how much control that group actually exercises in Franklin County, one thing is undeniable: Our County Commissioners hold all the cards when it comes to approving new expenditures, approving budgets, appointing members to various commissions and boards, posting Department heads, giving final approval on development requests, determining zoning, and setting tax rates, just to name a few of their responsibilities. Our economic situation didn't get this bad overnight - it's happened over the course of years. In the end, who can be held accountable for bringing us to this point? The folks making the decisions regarding money. Are those all of the same people that are on the CC Board right now? Some have been there for years, others less. I think there's only been one new face on the Board over at least the past two years, so I do feel it's appropriate to hold the Board accountable, minus that one person.