EDITORIAL: Abolish Pendergrass
It should be no surprise that Pendergrass Mayor Monk Tolbert signed off on a final plat for a subdivision in the town in 2007 in a manner that was either stupid or fraudulent.
The Jackson County Water & Sewerage Authority recently discovered that Tolbert had affixed his signature to a final plat for the Pendergrass Depot subdivision in October 2007 on behalf of the authority.
But Tolbert had not been authorized by the authority to do that, nor are the sewer lines and other infrastructure even in place.
So why did Tolbert sign a document he wasn’t authorized to sign?
Because in Pendergrass, the mayor believes he can “do whatever the hell I want to do.”
This issue was only discovered because the FDIC had taken over the bank that financed the project and is trying to figure out the subdivision’s real worth. It was from that paperwork search the water authority discovered that Tolbert had acted on their behalf without authorization.
All of this comes on the heels of an ongoing GBI investigation into the town’s finances and allegations of corruption by three whistleblowers who have filed lawsuits against the town.
The truth is, Pendergrass does not deserve to exist as an incorporated town. It is run by one family which uses the legal shell of city incorporation to further its own investment and real estate interests. The town has over and over thumbed its nose at government ethical standards.
Enough is enough. Mayor Tolbert and the City of Pendergrass are an embarrassment to all of Jackson County and do not represent citizens.
Pendergrass as an incorporated city should be abolished by the Georgia General Assembly.
We hope Rep. Tommy Benton and other area legislators will introduce legislation to do just that.
But Tolbert had not been authorized by the authority to do that, nor are the sewer lines and other infrastructure even in place.
So why did Tolbert sign a document he wasn’t authorized to sign?
Because in Pendergrass, the mayor believes he can “do whatever the hell I want to do.”
This issue was only discovered because the FDIC had taken over the bank that financed the project and is trying to figure out the subdivision’s real worth. It was from that paperwork search the water authority discovered that Tolbert had acted on their behalf without authorization.
All of this comes on the heels of an ongoing GBI investigation into the town’s finances and allegations of corruption by three whistleblowers who have filed lawsuits against the town.
The truth is, Pendergrass does not deserve to exist as an incorporated town. It is run by one family which uses the legal shell of city incorporation to further its own investment and real estate interests. The town has over and over thumbed its nose at government ethical standards.
Enough is enough. Mayor Tolbert and the City of Pendergrass are an embarrassment to all of Jackson County and do not represent citizens.
Pendergrass as an incorporated city should be abolished by the Georgia General Assembly.
We hope Rep. Tommy Benton and other area legislators will introduce legislation to do just that.
However, your suggestion to abolish the city of Pendergrass is not warrented and very unfair to all of the families who love our community. I have had a conversation with Rep. Benton about the many options that local citizens might excersize to resolve our leadership issues. It is my understanding (and I hope Mr. Benton will correct me if I am wrong)that Pendergrass holds a very unique distinction in its stature as a city with a chartered government structure. This was grandfathered in to the GA statutes when they were changed. Communities of our size can no longer get this status. Now that there are a significant number of property owners besides the Tolberts and Gees, our ability to govern and preserve the best interests of our community are vital in order to protect us from county and state efforts to encrouch on the rural tranquility that we all moved here for.
It is time for a different kind of leadership in Pendergrass and that is yet to be seen. But abolishing a community that has a rich history in Jackson County in order to rid us of coruption is not the best way.
Mike
The ONLY way that we will have a chance to change anything in this backward town is to elect new council members and a mayor. But the emense damage is already done, and the damage continues to grow in such a manner, that I don't think an election would make much of a difference. Of course, that's assuming that we could elect new officials...and we all know what happens when we assume!
I don't think Mike is being disrespectful or condescending, I think he's presenting facts. Instead of getting personal, give him facts to back up your stance.
From the sidelines, I'd tend to agree with Mike. I don't see the citizens of Pendergrass doing anything to improve their unbelievably laughable "government" situation, and it is embarrassing to the rest of the county, the state, and the South in general. Good ol' boy cartoon characters are running your town. What are you doing to change that?