Stan Helton’s “it’s going to be done my way” approach to his role as Fannin County commission chairman continues to draw attacks from those he inflicts his will upon.
The latest to voice concern over Helton’s approach of not listening to anyone when he makes a decision are some members of the Fannin County Library Board.
Vice-Chairman Ron Bolin and member Patti Hampton both voiced their displeasure in being left in the dark over Helton’s plan to move the library to the Whitepath building. Likewise, the director of the Mountain Regional Library System, Claudia Gibson, agreed, saying she was also blindsided.
Member Nick Wimberly reminded members that when North Georgia College entered conversations, the hope was a new county library would adjoin with the college.
Some members noted the Whitepath location would offer advantages including security, a question that has never come up. But it would be completely unfair to expect the sheriff’s office to provide security for the county’s library and administrative office the same as it does for the courthouse. So, who would pay? The county commissioners? Or would the library be expected to pay its own way? Again, no one has heard anything out of Helton – at least not in public where such discussions belong.
But Helton’s approach to the library – which has been to leave everyone in the dark since day one – worsens.
An architect appeared out of nowhere at the last county commission meeting and all three county commissioners agreed to pay him almost $66,000 for the pre-design phase of the building. And this is only the start. The total cost for the service will be as much as eight percent of construction costs. While there is a question of whether or not such a hire should have been made without asking for bids, both bids and references should have been required.
Regrettably, both post commissioners went along with the architect selection without asking any questions.
Then there is the question of the $1.5 million grant announced by Speaker of the House David Ralston. There is no doubt he has his finger on the pulse of the state budget.
But the regional library director is worried, since that budget has not been passed. And with Governor Brian Kemp demanding budget cuts, there seems to be foundation for that fear.
Either way, the money is not in the bank and Helton is already spending it.
Making decisions without having everyone on board, failing to make sure the best price is obtained for services, and spending money before it is in the bank are all ways to dig Fannin County into a financial hole it will never get out of.