LETTERS


County responds to allegations

Dear Editor:

In the March 29, 2012, edition of The News and Farmer a story was printed regarding the county’s 2011 purchase of a Motorola MOTOTRBO digital radio system.

Mr. Keith Scarboro, who has represented himself as a firefighter with the Bartow Fire Department, has made both malicious and libelous statements.

The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners prides itself on being transparent and open to all citizens in the county. If Mr. Scarboro has any evidence of wrongdoing by any employee of the county or the Board of Commissioners it is requested that he contact the State Ethics Commission, the District Attorney’s Office as well as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation so that a proper investigation may be conducted.

No employee or member of the board of commissioners has received compensation in any form with regard to the purchase of the new radio system.

Each municipality in Jefferson County appointed a member to the 911 Advisory Committee to discuss and recommend the purchase of a new countywide radio system; it was formed in this fashion specifically to allow all jurisdictions to play a crucial role in recommendation of equipment, as well as to streamline accurate information back to their perspective jurisdictional officials. All meetings were open to the public and members of the press were present.

The allegations made by Mr. Scarboro not only hurt the name of Jefferson County, but also the Town of Bartow. It is the intent of Jefferson County and the board of commissioners to have a healthy working relationship with the town of Bartow and all other jurisdictions in order to foster the best results for the citizens of the county.

The board of commissioners recognizes and appreciates the work that Mayor Hubert Jordan and the city council do for the town of Bartow and his continued working relationship with Jefferson County.

Adam Mestres
Jefferson County Administrator
on behalf of the Jefferson County Commissioners