Several members of the Clarke County volunteer fire departments and first responders have recently held private meetings to discuss potential problems within the county concerning the Board of Supervisors and what they feel is mistreatment of and possible dismissal of several county employees in January.
The members reached out to The Clarke County Tribune Sunday and provided the following statement:
“We have called this meeting today (December 27, 2020) as a group of concerned volunteers and voters in Clarke County. It has come to our attention that several county employees have been verbally abused and threatened with termination by a member(s) of the current Board of Supervisors. There also have been several ethics violations. Complaints have been filed against at least one member of the Board of Supervisors with the State Ethics Commission. These complaints have seen no resolve, as they appear to be dead on arrival.
This directly affects all first responders, paid and volunteer, of Clarke County. Employees have stood and voiced their concerns over some issues, and have been treated unfairly for their professional advice.
This group of concerned citizens and first responders would like the Board of Supervisors to hear and consider their concerns.”
When asked for a response, The Clarke County Board released the following statement:
“As you know, all Clarke Countians rely upon the unselfish service of our first responders, whom we respect and value. All parts of county government must work in cooperation with each other to ensure the advancement of the county as a whole. It is the Board of Supervisors’ weighty responsibility to coordinate a coherent and unified effort in order to best serve all of our citizens. All concerns that the board is called upon to address will be addressed with respect.
All elements of any county business is well-considered and thoroughly discussed before any board decision is made. The members of the board appreciate and welcome the input and support of all of our citizens as we continually strive to make our county bigger, better and brighter.
Lorenzo Carter, President, Clarke County Board of Supervisors
Multiple members of the Clarke County Volunteer Fire Departments will be attending the first board meeting of 2021 to publically voice their concerns to the Supervisors. The meeting will be held Monday, January 4, 2021, at 9 a.m. in the Supervisor’s Board Room.
