The Star of the Show - Guest blog by Barb Wyer

Who qualified as the "Star of the Show" at the BOCC meeting on April 24? Was it Ed Ehmann, central figure in the county commissioners' Love Fest, or was it Republican Chairman Tom Peterson, citizen-who-receives-special-treatment?

Perhaps in response to a recently circulated article about Mr. Ehmann's less-than-polite treatment of citizens who dare to criticize him, the county commissioners felt it necessary to wax eloquently in reassuring citizens just how fortunate they are that Ed virtually salvaged Elbert County from ruin, single-handedly.  Not only did the commissioners utilize nearly all the synonyms in the dictionary for savior, but more than twenty county employees were seated in the audience for back-up praises, if needed.

While all 3 of our commissioners, during their campaigns, vowed to investigate the many complaints lodged against Ed, it appears that these criticisms qualify as only so much fluff.  The commissioners voted, unanimously, to extend Mr. Ehmann's contract through December of 2018.

Or is Republican Chairman Tom Peterson more deserving of the "Star of the Show" award?  He was allowed the privilege (not granted to many folks) of violating county policy regarding public speeches and the accompanying protocol, three times during the BOCC meeting:
Utilizing Public Comment to talk about the "local and national Resistance movements" labeling them as "obstructionist." While county policy prohibits politicking during Public Comment, the commissioners seemed to enjoy his presentation, smiling from their chairs, and relishing the audience applause that followed.
Blurting out from his seat in the audience (podium-speeches-only rule applies here).
Speaking twice on the same topic (a privilege not customarily allowed).

Bolstered by his favorable reception from both the commissioners and the audience, Mr. Peterson then suggested that a list of citizens who submit Open Records Requests be made public, an idea with which Commissioner Thayer concurred. Per Mr. Peterson, citizens who have the audacity to access public records are "burdensome on the county."

Star of the Show.....Ed Ehmann or Tom Peterson?  Who wins the award?  Regardless of who goes home with the trophy, citizens clearly lost on several fronts.