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Ronnie Goswick Wants to Know Why I Won't Stop Fighting Him and Join Him Instead

I stopped by our county EDC office two days ago to get a copy of the Committee of 100's most recent federal form 990 filing. Naturally, EDC Director Goswick didn't want to provide the requested document - seems he isn't as knowledgable about the law regarding these things as he should be. I was left in the unenviable position of having to explain the law and call County Administration to try to help Ronnie understand what the law requires regarding public records and on what schedule. Poor Lori Duke kept telling me, over and over, that I just don't understand and then ran into the bathroom. Finally, Ronnie came out of his office and asked me to step in and talk with him.

Once seated, he asked me "What is your problem? With us I mean." I tried to explain to him that my issues with his offices aren't personal and that his office isn't the only one I've been digging into, but he clearly feels that my efforts are somehow personally aimed at him. I also tried to explain that Franklin County is in terrible economic condition and that the problem goes a lot farther back than the start of this recession. I explained how I believe that the cronyism, nepotism, and good-old-boy network is strangling the very lifeblood out of this county. I also explained my concern with the fact that the Co100 is being run out of county government offices by people who are paid out of county funds. He simply couldn't fathom why that was a problem.

The funniest part of the conversation came when Mr. Goswick asked me why I don't use my talents and energy to help the county rather than insult the integrity of those that run it. I explained that I have, in fact, made numerous attempts to get involved and work to improve Franklin County from the inside. I offered to transcribe all of the County Ordinances into a single, searchable PDF file; I offered to assist in maintaining the county website and bring it up-to-date while adding lots of useful data such as By-Laws to that public resource; I volunteered to work on the Planning Board - I asked for nothing in return for any of these things, yet I was turned down cold every time. I attend nearly every County Commissioners meeting and have made every reasonable effort to inform myself on county processes & procedures as well as actions. Still, when I ask for an investigation of potentially illegal intermingling of county offices & employees with an outside entity (the Committee of 100), I am ignored. When I request a Town Hall meeting where residents can speak to their commissioners in an open and informal setting without a stopwatch being set to restrict their comments, I am ignored. When I ask why the attorney that told the county, in 2007, that he simply didn't want to work for them any more because he was spread too thin and wasn't up to the amount of work they required, is that same attorney still the county's primary legal representative and resource, I am ignored. When I make a formal request for a written response to these questions, I am stonewalled.

Why, then, would I continue trying to play nice and volunteer my time to such an unprofessional, unresponsive, and disinterested group as our County Administration?

Why am I working so hard to bring facts regarding our county and local governments into the harsh light of day? Because they are like mushrooms which only grow larger when kept in the dark and covered by manure.

Ronnie Goswick tells me that there is no cronyism, nepotism, or good-old-boy network in Franklin County government and that the very people that are so frequently named in my stories here are all just good people who are working hard to make Franklin County the best she can be. My response is that they've done a bang-up job of it for the last 20+ years and the evidence of their wisdom and intelligence is clear. We have no money, both businesses and residents are leaving as quickly as they can, and a short drive shows us to be a county whose economy depends on strip-malls. If they truly do want what's best for Franklin County, then it's time for the old guard to get out of the way and let some fresh blood and new ideas take a shot at turning this county around. After all, it certainly can't make things worse!