I was there at the Commissioner’s Meeting about two years ago (June 21, 2016 exactly) when the Rev. Dante Murphy announced his resignation from the Cleveland County Department of Social Services and pleaded for the Commissioners to investigate the continued wrongdoing at DSS. The announcement went in one ear and out the other of the entire Board of Commissioners. A Complaint was filed by Rev. Murphy to the US EEOC which reviewed the matter and issued a “Right to Sue” letter to Rev. Murphy. A Federal Lawsuit was filed and CCDSS was hauled into the Federal Legal System. This is the process with the US EEOC.
At first the DSS was haughty, cocky and sure they would prevail. Just like they do in the “fixed” Court system in Cleveland County. They were prepared to tell their lies as usual in depositions and on the witness stand too. Then the tsunami of reality hit DSS. They were not in Kansas anymore. Rev. Murphy had audio tapes to prove his case and if they lied in Federal Court, long prison time for perjury would soon be in their future. They squalled, bawled, cried like babies and told the truth. They admitted to their guilt in detail and implicated their bosses too. They paid for their sins and were glad to do so.
But back in Cleveland County things were business as usual. Although DSS had admitted under oath in sworn testimony to doing illegal things, often at their supervisors direction. But it was don’t ask, don’t tell back in Cleveland County and with DSS. The Commissioners looked the other way and nobody was disciplined. Not one person. Not one bit. They even got the Shelby Star to print an article stating that although DSS paid off, there were “no admissions of guilt.” Even though DSS had admitted to guilt under oath. Then the Shelby Star came to the rescue and published a cover-up article and that was good enough for the County Commissioners lead by Massa Holbrook. No oversight, no leadership. Cleveland County was all seen though rose colored glasses. Camelot even and Massa Holbrook was King Arthur. Folks like that never seem to learn.
But Tuesday night Rev. Murphy was back to another Commissioner’s meeting with another “Right to Sue” letter. The Commissioners had continued to do bad things, he did not mention an individual name as he considered they were all in cahoots. Easily shown by every vote being unanimous to approve whatever Massa wants. Rev. Murphy reminded the room mostly full of people that “Justice is never given to the people by the oppressor, but taken by the demands of the oppressed.” Totally appropriate during this Democrat Primary Election where the oppressed can get rid of Massa if they turnout to vote.
Rev. Murphy also reminded everybody that change in this day and time is only made through the “Buck, Ballot and Boycott.” And Federal Court as Rev. Murphy announced that he would be filing a Federal Lawsuit against the Commissioners themselves. It would be interesting if voters are foolish enough to re-elect Massa to the County Commissioners. A sitting County Commissioner going to trial, being deposed and sitting on the witness stand trying to weasel out of his responsibility, all the while the jury will know that the foolish people that re-elected Massa are also accountable for Massa’s wrongdoing. Big judgments usually come out of such cases. Maybe big enough to teach not only Massa a lesson, but the misaligned voters as well.
Folks, don’t hold your breath for anything to happen soon-like Massa resigning and going home. Or being forced to resign and go home. Whether Massa wins or loses, his present term lasts until December and Massa would never resign unless he is jailed for some of his shenanigans. The wheels of justice move slow. It will likely be 30-60 days before Rev. Murphy actually files his Federal lawsuit-called a Complaint. Then Massa et. al. get 30-60 days to answer the complaint, etc. It will probably be well over a year before the trial is scheduled. But, even if Massa is defeated in the present election cycle, Massa will not be able to escape the long arms of the Federal Courts.
Other news from the May 1, 2018 Commissioner’s meeting.
The Commissioners voted to pay approximately $500,000 (They can come up with big money when they want to) to clean up the old Doran Mill Property that has been so severely mismanaged by the County. This million dollar plus property was once given away to private persons, allegedly to build a data center. But the new owners stripped a million dollars worth of scrap metal out of the old mill. Sawed the mills old wooden beams up for flooring for the NewGrass Brewery, then didn’t pay all the property tax and let the property go back to the county. A good example of what not to do in running Cleveland County.
Also, the commissioners didn’t flinch when presented with such a bill to clean up the Doran Mill site. Which they will probably sell for $1 to another of their inside wheeler and dealer buddies when the cleanup is finished. (Hey, they sold $4.6 million in property to Clearwater Paper for $1. Don’t think that the commissioners wouldn’t do such a thing.) The commissioners also came up with about $30 million that they gave to Clearwater Paper for their expansion.
In the meantime Massa Eddie is holding up the Sports Complex proposed by Mr. Willie Green allegedly because of the high cost of building the facility. Which is a bald faced lie because Mr. Green’s proposal calls for Mr. Green to personally finance the facility construction, with the County only paying usage fees based on fair market value. I would bet that if Mr. Willie Green was white and willing to pay some kickbacks, the county would be glad to partnership with the Sports Complex business. Especially with a $8-10 million Economic Development potential. Much more than the American League World Series Project that loses over a $million a year.
On other business, Commissioner Doug Bridges reported he had met a number of graduating seniors. The majority of which just wanted to get out of Cleveland County. Massa blamed Cleveland County Schools and Cleveland Community College for not meeting the workforce development needs of the County. Which is hilarious because Massa has been the center of workforce development for so long and I hold Massa Eddie as the crux of the workforce Development problem. Massa as a 12 year veteran on the Commissioner Board could have provided the leadership (as being in control of the money) to demand both CCS and CCC to do their job properly, but Massa himself has been asleep at the wheel. And then to throw the blame on somebody else when the problem finally becomes apparent. And the solution is easy. My article entitled the “Workforce Development Manifesto” shows how workforce development can easily be done and reflects hundreds of years of proven success. I will have to re-publish that article and forward it to the new CCC President. Although I suspect he already knows what to do. And will do if the “slow” CCC Board of Trustees will turn him loose and just stay out of his way.
Folks, Primary Election day is Tuesday. If you don’t know how to vote in the Democrat Primary, this is my recommendation: