Editor’s Note: There was always something “fishy” about Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine’s announcement at the November 30, 2023 monthly meeting of the CCGOP that he was NOT going to run for reelection in 2024. But, would serve out his term. Robert A immediately figured Mr. Whetstine “knew” he was going to lose re-election in 2024 and wanted to save himself the embarrassment and grief. Robert A also considered the fact that Ronnie Whetstine’s near-fatal bout with COVID-19 may have caused him to question his own actions and lack of correct actions on the Board of Commissioners. And whether he could pass muster in his “Judgement Day” interview with Saint Peter in front of the “Pearly Gates.”
So, Robert A, despite knowing the facts of the matter, that ALL of the Commissioners are covering up the worst of the worst political dirty tricks in the American system of Government, gave Whetstine the benefit of the doubt. Even to the point of thinking that Ronnie Whetstine had realized the error of his ways. That, perhaps, Ronnie Whetstine has a “conscious” after all. On that point, Robert A turned out to be wrong.
This past Wednesday, December 13, 2023, the Shelby Star, published a press release from Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine regarding his decision NOT to seek re-election in 2024. Two weeks AFTER Whetstine’s Public announcement. But just in time for Whetstine’s foray back into dirty politics and cover-ups. Always the cover-up! Cleveland County is so very tired of the local government cover-ups!!!
If that decision NOT to run for re-election had been the only message from Whetstine to the Star, that he would NOT be seeking re-election, that would have been fine and dandy. But NOOoooo!!! Whetstine, and the Shelby Star, go on and on about Whetstine and “his team” of Cleveland County Commissioners have done so much good for Cleveland County while he has been in office. A false and deceptive diatribe straight from Commissioners Kevin Gordon’s and Johnny Hutchins’s phony re-election playbook! Especially just two days after the Commissioners, including Ronnie Whetstine, pulled the plug on Project Sunrise and its 134 jobs that they proudly announced three months ago. A blunder that Robert A warned them about at the time, but the deal soured as Robert A believed it would, and now those jobs are gone. It was a unanimous vote without comments or questions and was deceptively hidden in the Consent Agenda of Monday’s (December 11, 2023 Commissioner’s meeting. The commissioner’s agenda item called it a Land Transfer Cancellation.
Folks, NOW Cleveland County has to wonder why Ronnie Whetstine claimed he was not going to seek reelection because of his age, yet would be filling out his present term in office??? Which has another full year to EXPIRATION??? Why didn’t Ronnie Whetstine just announce his resignation/retirement for health and age considerations??? And apologize for his part in covering up the huge indiscretion(s) shared by all of the Commissioners presently in office.
For Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine, if he had made such an apology, even privately, which would have been better. But again, NOOooo!!! Like Peter, the Disciple of Jesus, denying Jesus Christ three times before the Rooster crowed, Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine is still denying the TRUTH of the matter. Saint Peter was quick to realize his mistake, but Ronnie Whetstine is still a denier. A Cleveland County style DENIER. Just don’t say anything and it doesn’t count. Like it never happened. In Robert A’s knowing opinion, Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine is taking a huge chance that his everlasting Soul will end up burning in Hell. Just because of his participation here in Dirty Politics and for the continued cover-up, by himself and others. It is very, very likely, that if Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine’s everlasting Soul ends up in Hell, he will be surrounded by familiar faces.
That being said, let’s move on to Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine’s election year dirty politics related to the Shelby Star’s December 13, 2023 article.
In this past Wednesday’s Star article, Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine should have just stopped talking after he had announced his decision not to run for re-election. And been done with it. Again, it’s a “but, NOOooo” moment for Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine.
Besides the many months of staff work on Project Sunrise, a Project that should never have even been considered to begin with, With Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine “seconding” Johnny Hutchins’ Motion to approve the project at the August 1, 2023 Commissioners and a 5-0 vote to approve, It is also Commissioner Ronnie Whetstine who “seconds” Johnny Hutchins’ Motion to cancel the project at the December 12, 2023 Meeting, after a LONG silence from all the Commissioners, including Commissioners Deb Hardin and Doug Bridges who are NOT up for re-election this year and were apparently smart enough to stay out of the fight. Although they too voted for Project Sunrise originally back in August and then voted against Project Sunrise without comment (and also without any lessons learned) on December 12, 2023.
Also, this is what the new County Manager stated in his Staff Report regarding Project Sunrise:
“The County Manager has become increasingly concerned that the Company’s efforts with respect to this project are poorly organized and coordinated, that there is poor communication between the company and others (the Communist Chinese government) working for or on behalf of the Company, and that the Company’s communications with the County are not indicative of a Company in which the County should invest resources in incentivizing to come to Cleveland County.”
In Robert A’s expert observations and conclusions:
“Cleveland County’s efforts with respect to this project are poorly organized and coordinated, that there is poor communication between the Cleveland County and others working for or on behalf of Cleveland County!”
Also, in Robert A’s expert opinion, this loss of 134+ jobs was mostly related to the County’s inability to pay the $1.5 MILLION$ plus in cash to the Commies that the Commissioners originally agreed to back in August.
In any event, 134 so-called high-paying jobs were lost to Cleveland County as well as months and months of staff work, effort and expense. ALL because Ronnie Whetstine, Kevin Gordon, Johnny Hutchins, Deb Hardin and Doug Bridges would NOT pay attention to Robert A’s clear and cogent warnings at the August 2, 2023 Commissioners meeting. As well as in his related publications.
Note: At the December 12, 2023 Commissioner’s meeting, Robert A told the Commissioners: “I TOLD YOU SO!!” If Robert A had been a Commissioner back in August, 2023, none of this would have ever happened.
The solution to these kinds of costly mistakes and messes are shown below.