To “Jm”:

I believe that the arrangement that the County had with Mr. Rick was that he worked almost exclusively for the County, but since he was a contractor rather than an employee, he had to pay his overhead out of the retainer that the County paid to him.  I do not know what his overhead was, but my guess is that his net was substantially lower than the gross figures that you quoted.  My guess is that it was, on a net basis, not that great a deal for him financially and that a lot of lawyers on the street would not have taken that deal.

To Mr. Gary Mills

The county released the numbers for the budget retreat.  The ave. spent on John Rick as COunty Attorney was $174,000 witrh one year (2007) at $205,000.

The cost of an in-house county attorney $217,000.

Meaning the county paid $43,000 more for in-house counsel.

BW: the former BOS knew that if those 3 were on the board for the 2012-2016 term, that they wanted to replace the current CA, I think it was for her safety. They knew she would be replaced. My opinion

As to the CA, for all the comments that the new members did this in secret, was anyone else aware of the actions or reasons the prior BOS felt it necessary to give the CA a contract just prior to most of them leaving the BOS?  Was this made transparent to the citizen?  I never heard anything of it.  Did they antiscipate future action?  Was Ms. Bishop considering leaving?

Could someone point out to me where the duties of the commissioner of revenue include any authority or responsibility in hiring, firing, evaluating or anything else as far as the BOS or CA is concerned.  We just found out how independent the elected offices of treasuer and commissioner of revenue are when we watched the Goochland treas. stonewall their BOS.  Its fine if one acts as a private citizen but being an elected official makes that a difficult line to balance upon.  I would rather his time be spent on assuring 100% of county property is fairly recorded and assessed.

I know I’m harping on it but:
Policy Regarding the Use of Exemption

● The general policy of the County of Powhatan is to
  invoke the personnel records exemption in those
  instances where it applies in order to protect the
  privacy of employees and officials of The County of
  Powhatan.

from: http://powhatanva.gov/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC;={5F9AF3F4-0D39-4144-82C9-DF99BCA19551}

She could have easily made everyone “knock it off” as DG mentioned,  by stating that the emails requested via FOIA were subject to the exemption for personnel records.

Would a FOIA request for emails about the county attorney being let go be exempted or produced?

good grief,

Mrs. Bishop could have locked this down with a simple statement asking for everyone to cease and desist. Personally, I would have honored such a request.

That said, if what you say is accurate, then it opens up a whole other can of worms. That would mean either Mr. Melton or Mr. Tucker started this ball rolling to undermine their incoming colleagues when Mrs. Bishop intended to keep it under wraps. No other explaination if this is the case.

It would also mean Mr. Timberlake’s actions are even more aggregious than previously stated. He allowed himself to become a pawn in somebody’s agenda.

The cynic in me doesn’t see that outside of the realm of possibilities.

Perhaps the COR will come forward and enlighten us on how the email was aquired and all questions will be answered.  After all, it was only sent to 4 supervisors, the CA and her assistant. SOMEONE forwarded it, printed it, etc. and we can rule 3 of the 6 out.

This really has become beyond absurd. Maybe tonight will provide some answers. I hope my fatherly duties will conclude in time to attend.

Made it to 100. My work here is done for today.

Mrs. Bishop told the other Board members, just as she should and she told them she would out of fairness and ethics. I got my news from one of the Board members, not her and it has been stated here numerous times that she did not say anything even to her employees, until that email from Mr. Moore. If the other Board members chose to “let the cat out of the bag”, that was their choice, but Mrs. Bishop didn’t. I even learned from a Board member she wasn’t supposed to tell, so she didn’t. She didn’t. She didn’t. She didn’t. Mr. Moore sent that email on the 28th and her staff did not know. She had not told anyone.

She did not create this drama. They did. So, stop trying to make her look bad after everything she did for our County.

I am with DarrellG and Mr. Reality on this one.  This “jr high school drama” was started by Bishop and sent into circulation by Timberlake.  Bishop is not a scapegoat!  The matter should have stayed behind closed doors.  Bishop’s level of intellect has to be questioned in that she could not grasp for one minute her position in relation to the boards prerogatives and desire to rule as they see fit.  The previous board of supervisors (those who must be obeyed) have a lot to answer for in creating this mess as well.  Losers should not artificially set the agenda for the new board to be mired in from day one.  Cut the check for servence and good riddance.  Get the ball rolling for Timberlake’s exit as well.  Clean sweep… 2012.