I found several more comments in my search of the Web. These are posted comments from WSBT. They seem to be pretty neutral in their reporting.
What I found is these comments all seem to center around the frustration of Starke County Voters.. YES!! This County needs MANAGERS! not Friends and Family! Now I know Mitch Daniels is NOT a well liked in Starke County, However, the real reason that most democrats do not like him is because they say he messed up the time.. or that he sold the Toll Road. Well he did not SELL the toll road. HE LEASED IT.. Leasing also means renting out. There are a few Starke County Democrats that rent out houses and make a great living at it. The interest already paid on that money in the bank far surpasses what could ever be reasonably brought in by raising the Gasoline or sales Tax.(*That is public record in the State Treasurers office) (BTW Pat Bauer tried raising it in 1998 and in 2000) The reason the toll way is now profitable is that politicians are no longer running it! All politicians are not MANAGERS only some. Mitch did one thing right and no one talks about it... He tightened up on STATE ETHICS! and that is a great Start! The only thing that was not tightened up was ethics for County, City, and Town Governments. There is a huge word... N-E-P-O-T-I-S-M This word will be a homework Assignment for Starke County Voters. Check and see who is on the local government payrolls. It will horrify you and its your right to know. You will notice the worry among some of the employees at election time.
Below are the posts I promised!
Sunday, Apr 20 at 2:34 PM It's a simple solution wrote ...
What this county is clearly in need of is a well grounded, experienced team of financial associates who have a solid track record for establishing trust, dignity and fiscal responsibilty as well as accountablility to the residents of Satrke County. Paging David & Dorothy Snyder! David & Dorohty to the council chambers to restore credibility, confidence and peace of mind to the residents of Starke County!
Sunday, Apr 20 at 1:09 PM Not Happy! wrote ...
Hey Hoosier buddy, I understand that if anyone questions the government in Starke county you are labeled ignorant. I think people understand what is going on here, and want answers. The fact is the money is GONE. The yearly budget is GONE. We were promised the facts and got the same old story at the press conference. Why doesn't the county come forward with the records instead of waiting for an audit to be completed? One reason: election year!
Sunday, Apr 20 at 12:57 PM Starke Co. looking stupid, again! wrote ...
Ya, an audit is being done by the STATE because Starke Co. can't figue out what we did with $867,000. Thats nothing to brag about, What we are to ignorant to read what is in our check book? We don't have a clear answer to what the money was spent on. Someone obviously did something wrong or the STATE would not have to step in to help poor, stupid, dishonest, Starke Co. AGAIN! Just saying the money was spent, is no answer.
Sunday, Apr 20 at 8:29 AM Hoosier Buddy wrote ...
It seems that some people are confused. The end of this article clearly says that an audit is occurring so we will know EXACTLY where all money was spent. Some of the comments on here show exactly how ignorant some people are. Get the FACTS and then make your judgments. Thank you Mark Smith for doing what you promised and in a professional manner.
Saturday, Apr 19 at 9:18 PM Disappointed Starke Co. Citizen wrote ...
All communities have problems and Starke Co. is no exception. I love my community, it is a great place to live. Sadly the incompetence of some of our government officials, the County Commissioners in particular is appalling. And the highway department secretary - who gave her the authority to write checks before the Auditor released the funds? (per article in The Leader)How did that happen? We need more accountability from everyone on the county payroll.
Saturday, Apr 19 at 7:11 PM Big Brother wrote ...
Just a comment to "Over Acting" Isn't Starke County where a previous Sherrif was drunk and pulled over by a State Police officer who than lost his job? Or how about a current elected officical that embezzled money from the Knox school system some 25 years ago? Several of our police officer's had a trist while on duty with under age girls. Let's believe every thing they tell us. If the money was put into an account all the checks written should be available. Thats how my check book works!!!
Saturday, Apr 19 at 5:06 PM Really? wrote ...
concerned county resident said: This county has been run by Democrats forever. Funny,two of the three commissioners are Republican. Did they do anything positive for the county? (NO!) Vote the person not the party!
Saturday, Apr 19 at 4:16 PM Oh My! wrote ...
Just Wondering wrote:Wise up and vote the person and not the party. HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD! Don't vote on the familiarity of the name, the amount of signs, or the party. Take a couple of minutes to actually find out about the candidates THEN vote. Find out about the incumbents while you are at it. Chances are you'll be embarrassed about some of the people running our county government at the highest levels... (Now I didn't say ALL people, but definately SOME!)
Saturday, Apr 19 at 2:40 PM Starke County Resident wrote ...
The bridge at hwy 8 and 35 is starting to fall apart with the railing crushed. Why didn't some of the money they "spent" go there? There are huge pot holes near Hamlet. Looks to me like someone has been pocketing some money. Way to go, Jim Hudgens-you called it.
Saturday, Apr 19 at 11:59 AM R-eaper wrote ...
I personally think and happen to know the money was spent on "goodies for the city officials and the guy that wrote this article maybe this city is really corrupt and they need an enema
Saturday, Apr 19 at 10:53 AM Jim Hudgens wrote ...
It is spent thats obvious. Do we not have a log to see what it was spent on, is the question. Or is the county just paying things using cash. Look over check book see where checks were written . It sounds like there was items probably bought paid double/triple value then money split between buyer and seller. Thats what we call embezzelling. Its not rocket science.
Saturday, Apr 19 at 10:14 AM Anonymous wrote ...
Smith wanted to clear the air? It only confirmed that the people running Starke County are a bunch of idiots! We somehow sent $867,000 but not sure on what?? Wow, are we that stupid? Someone has some personal gain from that money because it centainly was not spent on our roads or anywhere else in Starke County that we can see. That was a huge amount of money, we would have to see improvements somewhere or have some classy equipment, right? Can't wait to see who is hidding what!
Saturday, Apr 19 at 9:55 AM concerned taxpayer/voter wrote ...
When are the politicans going to learn that you need to hire managers, that no how to handle budgets and not your your political friends to supervise departments. The good old boy system doesn't work.
Saturday, Apr 19 at 8:47 AM Just Wondering wrote ...
What political party do most of those in office come from? Not saying that you won't get the same from the other but Starke Co. does seem to like the same type of government they always complain about. Wise up and vote the person and not the party. They do the same on a national level too. All I and many others have to say is, DUH! Some of the biggest complainers are those that keep voting in the problems.
Saturday, Apr 19 at 8:41 AM Starke County Resident wrote ...
The Auditor's Office ONLY pays claims submitted by the Highway Superintendent and approved by the County Commissioners. It seems to me the Auditor's Office was simply doing their job!--- (*yeah right!)
Saturday, Apr 19 at 8:20 AM Joe wrote ...
Come on now quit skirting the issue where exactly did the money go? They should know exactly where and not just say mowing equipment thats crazy!
Saturday, Apr 19 at 8:10 AM concerned county resident wrote ...
This county has been run by Democrats forever. It has always been one of the poorest counties in the state, and now it is the poorest county in the state. If people want the county to continue on this downward spiral, let them. Take a drive downtown Knox, North Judson, and Hamlet. It is shameful sad.
Saturday, Apr 19 at 7:29 AM Vote! wrote ...
VOTE THEM OUT WROTE: VOTE THEM OUT! Get the commissioners out first! They should have been doing their job first and foremost! Here is the scoop, there are 3, Milo, Kroft, Danford. Kroft is up for reelection but not running. That is a plus, one down! Unfortunately Milo isn't up for a couple more years. Danford is up for reelection and is running. Get rid of him and there are 2 problems gone right off the bat. Then remember when Milo is up again.
Saturday, Apr 19 at 1:34 AM Open Your Eyes Citizens wrote ...
Your not getting the big picture, The county received a total of $5.1 million dollars according to the State Auditor, call them and ask, and were all worried about $867,000.00. Must have been some expensive mowers and pug mill. It's more than just the Major Moves Money, it's abut all the money that has spent and the roads are in pitiful shape. When you vote, consider someone that has been in the public and whom you know you can trust. These folks are getting away with it, again!
Saturday, Apr 19 at 12:38 AM Smoke and Mirrors...VOTE THEM OUT wrote ...
It is the same old thing here in Starke County. What about inmates from the Starke County Jail shoveling snow and jail employees financially benefiting, not to mention the Sheriff and the amount of money he made here and for what and how? Drugs and overdose deaths are still as bad as they were under the last sheriff. Now the Major moves money, whats next? The tax payers here lost all the way around on the last election and in Starke County it is a time for change, from the top down.VOTE THEM OUT
Saturday, Apr 19 at 12:25 AM starke county resident wrote ...
I've not seen where $800,000 has been spent anywhere in the county.
Saturday, Apr 19 at 12:15 AM Not one of the thieves wrote ...
They are all friends and family that run this county. Check to see what all boards and seats Mark Smith sits on or controls. Jennifer Davis you need to worry about the hospital because it needs all the help it can get, quit hanging with them crooks they make you look bad.
Friday, Apr 18 at 11:23 PM Political stategizer wrote ...
Okay, let's go over this one more time. When voting, try to vote for the guy who has shoes on his feet. If they happen to be on the right feet, you got yourseves a future 'incumbent'!
Friday, Apr 18 at 8:39 PM anonymous wrote ...
Then give us some idea of what the money was used for. This just does not make any sense. how could that much be gone by April??
Friday, Apr 18 at 8:04 PM Not Impressed! wrote ...
The money is not missing, it is spent. It is alright all the 2008 budget is spent by April. Does this really ease the minds of Starke Counties citizens or does it just reinforce the incompetence of this present government. Vote!
7 comments:
Vote who ever is in OUT! They are all thieves! All these comments are true and somethng need to be done!
EVERYONE please feel free to come in and check our records. The Starke County Auditor's office had an excellent audit report. That report is on file!! ALSO, we do know where the $867,000 went, it went into the highway fund (where it was supposed to go) and was spent!! Our job is to pay any claims submitted that are signed by the department head and approved by the commissioners. If we see a problem with a claim, we let the commissioners know BEFORE they approve the claims and they vote accordingly. And yes, ALL checks for ALL claims are available for the public to look at. We only had one person come up here and check the records after the highway fiasco, and that person can tell you he saw everything and was not denied access to any financial records and he was satisfied that the highway department just spent way too much too fast with commissioner approval!!!
If the Auditor says that if they see a problem they (as whoever wrote the previous comment says "we") let the Commissioners know, then why weren't they informed that the Major Moves money had not been deposited in a separate account and they were in fact spending it?
Do the Commissioners get updated Fund/appropriation Reports? or do they just get a bottom line figure? Sounds like the Commissioners are just guided and not leading? Seems to me if the case was spending too much money too fast, then the Commissioners and council would know? I've been to enough of the meetings to know that it seems the finances are a big secret and the auditor has to check where the money is. I wonder how difficult it was for the one person to see the records?
Don't you usually balance your checkbook before you write out bills? Who does this job at the Court House? When the Commissioner's sign claims shouldn't they know the balance before and after? It's not rocket science here. Is there a job description for these elected officials? If not maybe there should be!
I know for a face the Auditor , the same one we have now , was cited in the past ,several timees , by state board for not doing her job and keeping accurate records. shes a joke as is her whole extended family sitting those offices. Never vote her in again and get rid of her fat lazy family members.
Dear Anonymous,
Your posts show a lack of focus. It appears to me you are talking to yourself.
Perhaps you are too lazy to type in an original username, I don't know? Perhaps you don't feel like an individual.
If you feel the need to comment shouldn't you, at least, identify yourself with an original moniker?
Anonymous, I hope your many personalities can find an individual's point of view so your own words will stand out in this crowd!
An individual's Moniker is as good as their word. You can stand out and still be anonymous!
Anonymous is exactly that! Anonymous.
A Moniker, respected because of the words related to it, is as valuable as the name you pay your bills with.
It's not too much to expect some kind of individualism, is it?
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