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“I cannot collect taxes that are not on our bill legally.”
— Oconee Treasurer Greg Nowell
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County Administrator Dale Surrett
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County Auditor Linda R. Nix
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Finance Department Director Phyllis E. Lombard
Following are total revenue collection reports from 2004-2008 made available to the Daily Journal/Messenger:
• $73.2 million total revenues collected in fiscal year ending June 30, 2004
• $76.9 million in fiscal year ending June 30, 2005
• $95.2 million in fiscal year ending June 30, 2006
• $95.6 million fiscal year ending June 30, 2007
• $89.7 million in fiscal year ending June 30, 2008
WALHALLA — The Oconee County Treasurer said he would consult with South Carolina Department of Revenue officials Monday to share information he thinks indicates Oconee taxpayers were overcharged $72 million during the past four years.
Treasurer Greg W. Nowell said Friday he recently came across what he thinks to be a glaring county tax assessment error that has cost taxpayers dearly between 2004 through 2007.
Nowell said he brought the matter to the attention of County Administrator Dale Surrett, County Auditor Linda R. Nix and Finance Department Director Phyllis E. Lombard during a meeting Thursday that lasted more than an hour.
The glitch apparently came about because the county erroneously undervalued Duke Energy’s tax assessment by $8 million in 2004. The error was dragged along in 2005 and 2006. Duke made amends in 2006 by paying $24 million, an amount that has been left on the tax rolls since then.
As a result, Nowell claims the county has been collecting and budgeting too much money from taxpayers — $72 million during the past four years — according to his calculations.
Duke’s $24 million lump-sum payment in 2006 was split between the county and the School District of Oconee County.
The repercussions of such an error, if the state officials rule that some rectification should be made such as a refund or tax credit, could cripple the county’s finances.
Nowell said the red flags went up a week ago while he was compiling local government reports for the South Carolina Office of Comptroller General.
The bottom line on those total revenue collection reports from 2004-2008, which were made available to the Daily Journal/Messenger, shows the following:
• $73.2 million total revenues collected in fiscal year ending June 30, 2004
• $76.9 million in fiscal year ending June 30, 2005
• $95.2 million in fiscal year ending June 30, 2006
• $95.6 million fiscal year ending June 30, 2007
• $89.7 million in fiscal year ending June 30, 2008
The nearly 24 percent increase from the amount collected in fiscal 2005 to 2006 caught Nowell’s attention.
“The numbers didn’t make sense,” Nowell said. “The amount of revenue we collect raised flags. The revenue did not go down after we got the Duke money.”
Nowell, who will seek re-election in November, said he did not get answers to the questions he had during his meeting Thursday with Surrett, Nix and Lombard. Walhalla attorney Larry Brandt accompanied Nowell.
“I was hoping to get it resolved without going to Columbia,” Nowell said. “They didn’t answer my questions so I’ll be talking to the (Department of Revenue) Monday to see what they say about it.”
Adding urgency to the matter is that new tax bills will be going out to county taxpayers in the fall, Nowell said. “I cannot collect taxes that are not on our bill legally.”
Surrett said Friday that both the county auditor and finance department director have told him they believe the millage rate was set correctly.
Surrett said that it is Nix’s responsibility, as the county’s elected auditor, to establish the millage rate.
“Her information that she calculated, and the finance staff reviewed, all adds up and is correct,” Surrett said.
However, Nowell, who was appointed into his position and will seek re-election in November, contends the auditor does not work in a vacuum and that she makes assessments based on budget projections.
Surrett distanced himself from the dispute, noting that it was something that happened before he became administrator last summer.
“That is a dispute between the treasurer and the auditor,” Surrett said.
When contacted, Nix said she had no comment on Nowell’s claims “until I research it.”
Nowell also took his findings Friday to school district officials. He met with Superintendent Mike Lucas, Assistant Superintendent Michael Thorsland and the district’s chief financial officer, Gloria Moore.
Lucas said the school district received about $8 million from the Duke windfall in 2006. Thorsland said the money was spent mostly on capital improvements.
Lucas said that by using the $8 million from the windfall to make improvements at schools, school taxes were not raised that year. School officials said they were unaware of Nowell’s claims that taxpayers have been overcharged.
“We receive money from across the street,” Thorsland said. “We’re not involved in calculations. The County Council calculates that. We send the bottom line of what the school district requires.”
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August 23, 2008
8:10 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Rest assured, that if the taxpayers owed the county taxes/back taxes, they would demand payment or guess who would own your home. Do we think the county should be given a pass on the sloppy book keeping? Absolutely not!!!72 mil. in 3 years???? Just how do you misplace this amount??
August 23, 2008
8:34 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Correcting my comment above. Maybe not actually misplacing but certainly not taking care of business in an orderly manner.
August 23, 2008
8:58 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Thank you Mr. Nowell at least someone is looking out for the counties best interest and is not afraid to stand up and fight for the rights of the people of Oconee County.
Misplacing $72,000,000.00 - Ms. Nix, it looks like you need a wake up call and start paying attention to what you are doing. Do you need glasses or do you just have deep pockets?
Dale Surrett, you are the County Administrator you should have been on top of this, don't try to pass the buck onto someone else, ultimately you are responsible for the people that are working for you and you misplaced $72,000,000.00. That is a hell of a lot of money, don't come up with excuses fix it. How deep are your pockets Mr. Surrett?
Once again, Thank you Greg Nowell, I knew when you went in as treasurer we could count on you. You have always been a very fair ethical man unlike the others mentioned in this article.
August 23, 2008
9:48 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Linda Nix needs to be put out to pasture! And I sure don't want to hear the school district crying "poor mouth" any more. They got this money from Duke and still want more and more. As a matter of fact, I want my money from overpayment of taxes too. lol Thank you Mr. Nowell. This would have been kept a secret if not for you. Dale, step up!
August 23, 2008
10:14 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I want my money back!! Until they get to the bottom of this incompetent mess, stop ALL unnecessary spending. Drop plans for another spec building gamble. Do not spend millions more for plumbing in that boondoggle 400 acre hayfield. Do not build a $9,000,000 library. Do not continue to hire consultants, planners, etc, paying each of them tens of thousands of dollars to do what our own hires in county positions should be able to do. Do not continue pushing zoning, running up enormous costs for implementing, enforcing, and resolving lawsuits that are sure to follow when property rights are trampled. Until this mess is resolved, county officials should drop all but necessary spending. Heads should roll over this one!!
August 23, 2008
10:36 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Ok I want my money back now. You stole it from me and kept it. When is the sheriff going to arrest these theves. Are they going to do the right thing and resign? How much more do we have to put up with these boneheads in Wahalla. Shame Shame Shame.
August 23, 2008
10:50 a.m.Report inappropriate content
We should get our money back plus the interest that was gained - heck, they charge us interest - we should be able to charge them interest. Why should they be able to keep it? It is our money!
August 23, 2008
11:37 a.m.Report inappropriate content
First and foremost ~~ Linda Nix is a friend of mine and I am very proud to call her friend. So, I KNOW she is honest.
Did you read: “Her information that she calculated, and the finance staff reviewed, all adds up and is correct,” Surrett said. Of course you didn't, because it is a no brainer to blame.
So Mr. Nowell needed a lawyer??
August 23, 2008
12:11 p.m.Report inappropriate content
How in the world do you think they can pay us back in any timely fashion? Even if they pay it back over 5 years, there will have to be massive layoffs and project cancellations. We should have wondered how they were paying for all the capital projects. Brand new schools in Westminster and Seneca. Getting ready to bond out for 6-10 million in Westminster for new Fire Dept., 9 mill in Seneca for Library, 5 million in Fair Play for sewer not to mention other likely projects such as aquatic facility in Seneca. Good Lord.
We need Greg to go across Pine Street and dig into School finances. It has to be BS when they can only answer, "We have to do it because of the feds." If that was true, every district in the state would have exorbitant budgets, not just SDOC.
Surprised no one has mentioned burning at the stake here. Guess it will SRO at the next Council meeting!!
August 23, 2008
12:30 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Is Linda Nix on the job enough to calculate and establish the millage rate? From what I've been reading in 'Willie', she's hardly ever in the office.
August 23, 2008
12:36 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Overtaxed, you're right, there should have been some head scratching about how all those wonderful projects were being funded. When I posted this morning, I failed to include the tens of millions of dollars of additional bond debt they are now proposing. Slick talkers are calling it "leveraging", but it's just more and more debt and spending. Stop as many of the projects overtaxed mentioned as possible. Don't plan any new ones. Don't issue more millions of dollars in more bond debt as King George and his council cohorts are now planning.
If we have to have massive amounts of project cancellations to pay us back, so be it! Do it! Take care of the necessities only, THEN STOP SPENDING! Pay us back the money we overpaid, any way they have to do it. Yes, overtaxed, we need an overflow crowd at the next County Council meeting. We cannot afford to allow these guys a slick way out of this one.
August 23, 2008
2:27 p.m.Report inappropriate content
"if the state officials rule that some rectification should be made such as a refund or tax credit". What do they mean, "IF"?
Anything short of a full refund plus interest constitutes fraud in my book. This is outrageous. Nix is incompetent, at best. Unethical at worst.
With the exception of Mr. Nowell, these people are feckless bureaucrats. They show little concern for the people, who by law, they are obligated to serve. This is clearly evidenced by the mismanagement and probable misappropriation of tax dollars provided by hard-working, tax-paying citizens. Has our trust been well-placed?
August 23, 2008
3:37 p.m.Report inappropriate content
is it me or they all have a crooked smile hmmmmm
August 23, 2008
3:52 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Paying us back is not an option. The only way the government can raise the money is to tax us for it! As much as I hate to say it, that money is gone, and it is the cost we will have to pay to learn a lesson. The answer is to do what needed to be done a long time ago, put the budget where it needs to be compared to the surrounding counties. The problem is that the County Council, administrator and others in the current government cannot be trusted to do so. It is time for a whole new council, administrator and group at Pine Street.
August 23, 2008
5:58 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I agree, ExBrown, that the money is gone. They can't write us checks to refund our losses. What they can do, and it's what I mentioned above, is stop enough spending to REDUCE the tax bite on us, over however many years it takes, so that the end result is the next best thing. I agree it's an insufficient substitute, and the money they confiscated from us is gone, but slashing spending to the bone in future years would allow lower taxes in the future that would ease the impact....as close as we'll ever get to a payback in the long run. Not funding bonds, projects and programs means tax money not needed. I still want heads to roll for this.
August 23, 2008
6:55 p.m.Report inappropriate content
llinsin,
You are correct that we need to slash spending, but even without this extra money, the county has been collecting and spending much more than the surrounding counties and providing inferior results. Now is the time for the county to stop its irresponsible actions and at least become as efficient as the surrounding county governments.
The thing that needs to happen is for all the current county councilmen to resign and hold elections to replace the ones that were not up in the last election. The first order of business should be to fire the current administrator and the people responsible for this error. Next all the department heads need to be told that for the next budget year they can run their departments for the same amount proportionally that Pickens, Anderson and Laurens do with respect to per capita spending, or someone that can, will replace them. This will only happen if the people of Oconee get off their rear ends and make it happen.
August 23, 2008
7:56 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Bravo, EXBrown! Absolutely right. Hmmm....for starters on a good faith payback to the treasury, let's see a "For Sale" sign at the Golden Corner Hayfield before this money pit devours even more of our money. Someone out there may need a hayfield. We need to monitor how this $72,000,000 fiasco evolves, making sure it doesn't get put on the back burner by slickery or leaves the headlines. Any and all responsible have to be held accountable.
August 23, 2008
10:41 p.m.Report inappropriate content
EXBrown & llinsi...Both are correct and make some very good points. EXBrown's last statement above is dead on. However, it ain't gonna be resolved here in Tell Willie's comment section. There has to be some noise from the residents of O.C.. Not sure what the best action might be. You've got to make enough noise that it gets some attention. Writing letters, phone calls, editorials in the paper, etc,etc. And it's got to be more than 2-3 people. Any other thoughts? As I stated in the first post above....72 mil. in approx. 3 years?? How in the world can something like this happen? Kinda sounds like you couldn't make that happen even if you tried.
August 23, 2008
10:57 p.m.Report inappropriate content
The 72 million is just the tip of the iceberg. The County has been spending more than any of the surrounding counties, and we have nothing to show for it. Looking at the SC Association of Counties website, it looks like even before this money was collected, we were being charged around 20 million per year too much. There is a colossal mess at Pine Street and the people in this county need to pack the County Council meetings and make these clowns explain just exactly how they are managing to take in the amount of money they do and still can't run the county.
August 24, 2008
3:55 a.m.Report inappropriate content
First, I would like everyone to know that I'll be selling pitchforks and torches on Main Street Walhalla Wednesday evening. Second, I'm curious to hear what Mr. McCall thinks about this story. Lastly, a good editorial from Willie wouldn't hurt. Stealing is stealing no matter the amount or methods. And to stay in line with everyone else, I would also like my money, by Christmas if it can be arranged.
August 24, 2008
9:03 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Mr. Nowell mentioned that tax bills will be going out again this fall. That raises a huge question. Suppose John and Jane Doe get a tax bill for $800, and are expected to write a check to the county for that amount. What if they have already paid $900 too much in taxes over the last four years? Will John and Jane say, "Forget it! We've overpaid already! We don't owe you. You owe us!"? Then what? If you think the 2005 reassessment got people to the boiling point, just wait until this one hits. Just wait until people open their tax bills, and read, "You owe us this amount".
August 24, 2008
11:43 a.m.(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
August 24, 2008
11:57 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Let's say you owned property in the county and were not able to pay the taxes on that property. Then the county puts your property up for a tax sale to pay off the back taxes that you owed and you lose your property to a stranger who made the top bid for your property. Is the county going to give you back your property that you lost in the tax sale? Will the county pay you for the fair market value of the property that you lost? Will the county pay for your "pain and suffering" and for the cost that you went through to move so they could put up your home on the auction block? How many property owners have lost their property in the last three to four years because the taxes were too high and they weren't able to pay the coffers down on Pine Street? Well???
August 24, 2008
5:16 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Action speak louder than words, the people of Oconee County, need to demand a full investigation from the
Attorney Generals Office, SLED, the Governors Office' and if possible the FBI if any thing can be tied to federal money.
some of our citizens have already lost their homes and property over these high taxes you think these people in office care.
August 24, 2008
8:08 p.m.Report inappropriate content
It will be curious to see how this shakes out. Even if they just have to back off taxes $15 million, what will be the impact? What gets cut? Surely half that will be cut in SDOC? What about county operations? How many employees will be lost? Will the renowned station 21 be lost? Looks like everyone at Pine Street is already stating “Not my fault!” Who the heck is to blame then? Nix? Are we so stupid that we allow one person to make these decisions and not have them checked? I say Greg Nowell for President. I hope he has hired a body guard, lest he find himself with death threats as our past IT Director who dropped the last big bomb (Supervisor and Sheriffs office employee scandal). Like the Clinton years.., will there be a few mysterious deaths surrounding this crisis?
August 24, 2008
8:15 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Sorry. One more thing. What about the folks whose property is being aligned to be sold in October?
http://www.mearesauctions.com/auction_de...
August 25, 2008
10:13 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Just send my bill marked "PAID IN FULL", this year, due to adjustments made because of "THE ERROR".
August 25, 2008
1:32 p.m.Report inappropriate content
dds8892...Be careful making comments about situations in which you know nothing about. After 30 years of faithful service, Mr. Nix retired from OMH not because people felt he was "running it into the ground." Mr. Nix retired because he was tired of having to lay-off good, hard-working people because the White House and Congress (you likely voted for) failed to fund Medicare/Medicaid. If you are going to blame anyone for problems at OMC (formerly OMH), I'm sure Lindsay Graham would be willing to toe the party line for you.
Ask anyone at OMC whom Mr. Nix had the privilege of working with over the last 30 years and they will have nothing but mutual respect for him. Prove me wrong...
Isn't the Auditor an elected position? Then you have had opportunities to replace Mrs. Nix if you thought her job performance was unsatisfactory. And, had anyone thought Mr. Nix wouldn't be up to the task of Auditor, they had the opportunity to run against him in the primaries. However, I don't recall seeing dds8892 on the ballot...
It's easy for you "armchair" officials to run things from their couches. Don't criticize someone for doing a job you don't understand, aren't willing to do or capable of doing yourself...
August 25, 2008
2:57 p.m.Report inappropriate content
knowyourfacts.....so the white house called down to ken nix and told hime to lay off those people??? hmmmmmmmmmm now i can sleep at night knowing this, GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!
why don't you put a don't in front of knowyourfacts because that is exactly what people should call you.
i have worked at OMH or OMC and ken nix was my dept head, when i worked there i knew that he took care of his cronies or good ole boy club. i am sure he never felt bad about laying those people off, but i was not there so who knows.
you can take a poll of the people who have worked at OMH and the ones who still work there and i guarantee you they will have negative comments about your buddy ken nix, that's a fact.
all i am saying is that linda nix is part of the problem with the $72,000,000.00 dollars because she is one of the spokes in the wheel and then ken nix is wanting her job when she retires, sounds suspicious to me.
August 25, 2008
3:33 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Before jumping to conclusions, we should let the other officials respond and let DOR look at this. Did Duke Power pay an extra $24 million in '07 and '08? With all of their analysts on their payroll I would find it hard to believe. However, if so, then how will the County refund the $24 million to Duke? The only way I see is to increase the taxes this year. IF this comes to pass, maybe we should look at whether these officials should continue to be elected or if they should be hired by the County.
August 25, 2008
3:33 p.m.Report inappropriate content
When and where is the next council meeting? We need to all be there demanding answers.
August 25, 2008
3:36 p.m.Report inappropriate content
dds8892...Since you seem so knowledgeable and able to put two and two together, why can't you believe that due to Medicare/Medicaid's denial to pay claims to the hospital, revenues severly dropped and people were laid off? You're right, that's completely absurd! It's almost as absurd as me thinking the White House called, which I never stated.
I'm confused, though. You "worked at OMH or OMC," but were "not there," but you're "sure he never felt bad about laying those people off." Which is it? I was there and do know he felt terrible about having to let anyone go...
What's so suspicious? A family member decides to retire from office after serving the county for 30 plus years and her brother-in-law decides to run for the vacant position. FYI, the relation is by marriage, not blood and I still don't recall seeing your name on the ballot during the primaries...
However, I did hear Seneca is looking for a new police chief. The position seems perfectly suited for someone with your deductive reasoning skills...
August 25, 2008
3:52 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I'll take mine back in 100.00 Bills plus intrest, and I want to press charges on each one of these people. Can't even get ya'll to fix our roads and the whole time ya'll are filling up your pockets, trying to say you made a mistake. I believe in forgivness but this is not a little mistake.
August 25, 2008
4:07 p.m.Report inappropriate content
This thread does not have quite enough venom/personal attacks/bad spelling in it. Please correct your errors and carry on.
August 25, 2008
8:31 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I hate to say it but I bet this one gets swept under the rug. I wonder how $72 million just got overlooked, that is way too much money to not see. I dont know any of these county employees, and we are only getting fed bits of the truth. I think "fan" has a good idea, the community needs to take a stand with county council. County employees work for us, the taxpayers, and I am sick and tired of them thinking it is the other way around. We elect them, we pay their salaries and they need to be reminded of it! If it is found that there is no error, so be it, but as many other posters have stated, THIS C0UNTY IS SPENDING WAY TOO MUCH MONEY!! I find it very odd, that there are several people criticizing our administrator and his employees, when they have been in office a year or so. There must be some issues for these remarks to be stated.
With home prices falling as much as 20%, is it possible to get challenge our home's assessment value? I know it will take over a year, but hey if it works I am up for it.
August 25, 2008
9:10 p.m.Report inappropriate content
If this turns out to be true, there is no one that is involved in the budget, taxes and accounting that can say they are without fault. There is no way that 20 million dollars per year in unexpected revenue can be explained other than incompetence or corruption.
August 25, 2008
9:24 p.m.Report inappropriate content
In case none of you out there know...this is NOT the first time this issue has been known...maybe spoken of publicly thanks to Greg. I know Linda Nix (for a long time) and she is good and honest, hard working lady. She just takes the assessments she is given by the assessor and calculates millage. Maybe she should have "noticed" the numbers looked funny...but the state auditor comes in and reviews all that stuff too. So either the state auditors didn't catch it, or let it pass. But this "oversite" (I never new how much) has been known for a couple years now: all of it, Duke paying the back taxes, etc....Council just swept it under and anyone that might have said something would have gotten fired. Someone should ask WHY this erroneous assessment was not caught with some kind of checks and balance system in the assessment office. Linda isn't an accountant like Greg, so obviously he would notice this type of thing in his editing. Linda has to depend on the assessor to get the values to assessment ratio correct for her to figure millage. I also know Phyllis, and I am sure that what assessment values given to Linda, carried over to millage all matched on their paperwork. Both these women are good, decent honest people...Look at council, again on this one. Wayne Mcall I am sure will take it to heart and try to fix whatever can be done. Like EXBrown said...the money is gone, but we can make a difference from now on. Stay behind Greg and support him in this task....we can't get our money back, but maybe we can be more careful from the bottom (where it all starts with assessments) and work upward. I do not know Mr. Surrett at all...so I have no comments on him. I only hope he is behind the taxpayers and will try to not let this happen again. Ever wonder why Linda retired? I know she loved her job working with people and trying to do a great job for the citizens....maybe she got tired of all the BS she had to put up with! I know Greg too...he was a great accountant before he had to retire that job. I am glad we have someone that will call an error in taxes to attention...even to the state level. It never did anyone else any good, but maybe they will listen to an elected official. Everyone vote for him! They can't "fire" him at the big house...only we can! And I for one am glad to have him as our Treasurer. But, lay off Linda and Phyllis! Also, apparently the new auditor Ken will be on board too for us taxpayers. As for deep pocket talk...not Linda and Phyllis. Linda was elected, and Phyllis is not...so she can't go stirring too much or she could lose her job by just questioning the "authorities" that be. Oh, well, we got rid of Frank and Tommy - so maybe the new guys - and I am pretty sure of Mr. Mcall -will make it better.
August 25, 2008
9:35 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Thanks - Know Your Facts. You are 100% correct ...
Guess it sounds too good reading tax base is off 72 million dollars. Did dds8892 happen to see the question mark at the end of the title for this article? Also re-read: The Oconee County Treasurer said he would consult with South Carolina Department of Revenue officials Monday to share information he thinks indicates Oconee taxpayers were overcharged $72 million during the past four years.
Do you read "he thinks"? Yes, he thinks. Now that does not mean any of the employees are crooks.... SOOOOOO -
There is no anonymity on the internet. All of these postings and usernames are traceable. When you name names, you will be held libel. To attempt to destroy people based on meaness is illegal. It's called slander.
Freedom of speech is not free when you slander.
Next time don't believe everything you read in print - it's only a newspaper.
August 25, 2008
10:09 p.m.Report inappropriate content
When all is said and done, if there is a discrepancy of this magnitude in the county taxes, it is the county council that is accountable. If these men are looking at any meaningful data when they are setting the budget and looking at how this will affect the citizens, it is indefensible to have this kind of error. If they say they were not looking at the incoming revenue and expenditures before voting on the budgets and trying to bond the county for even more money, they are incompetent to be in any public office. Until the facts come out, there is nothing anyone can do, and making personal attacks on the people that work at the county is pointless, counterproductive and mean. If anyone wants to ask questions about this astonishing allegation, I would recommend calling your elected county councilman and asking what his explanation is. He was elected to handle the business of the county and look after our best interest. All of the councilors should be more than willing to answer any questions his constituents may have.
The next county council meeting should be interesting and lively. All I can hope is that there is a massive turnout with people willing to demand answers. What will not be needed is anyone that cannot conduct themselves in a proper manner.
August 25, 2008
10:26 p.m.Report inappropriate content
REZLEP.....Another important aspect of defamation is the difference between fact and opinion. Statements made as "facts" are frequently actionable defamation. Statements of opinion or pure opinion are not actionable. In order to win damages in a libel case, the plaintiff must first show that the statements were "statements of fact or mixed statements of opinion and fact" and second that these statements were false. Conversely, a typical defense to defamation is that the statements are opinion. One of the major tests to distinguish whether a statement is fact or opinion is whether the statement can be proved true or false in a court of law. If the statement can be proved true or false, then, on that basis, the case will be heard by a jury to determine whether it is true or false. If the statement cannot be proved true or false, the court may dismiss the libel case without it ever going to a jury to find facts in the case.
you have a long way to go in proving a case against anyone who you say is slanderous or libel..........think about it, have you heard the term, counter sue????
August 25, 2008
10:51 p.m.Report inappropriate content
fan, and others, the next County Council agenda, meeting time, etc can be found on the county's website, "www.oconeesc.com". Go to the link to "Council". You'll find "Future Meetings Schedule" there. The next meeting is scheduled for 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, Sept 9, at the Pine Street Building. The more people who show up demanding answers and remedy, the more they'll get the message that this fiasco will not go away with smooth talk, finger pointing and blaming. If the money is gone, I want spending cut so drastically, on everything that is not an absolute necessity, that taxes will have to be lowered in years to come. That may be as close as we can get to a repayment of the money we overpaid. We need to be there, demanding refunds, or demanding to know what their "Plan B" is if they're already spent the money. See you there. Sign up at the front table, before the meeting, if you want to speak. You'll get three minutes, if you want, so make it count. See you there! 7:00 P.M., Sept 9, Pine Street!!
August 26, 2008
8:55 a.m.Report inappropriate content
LOOKS LIKE OCONEE COUNTY IS IN DEBT TO THE GOOD TAXPAYERS THIS TIME, NOT VICE VERSA. I WANT MY MONEY BACK TOO!!! EVEN IF THEY DO GIVE IT BACK, THEY WILL FIND ANOTHER WAY TO TAKE IT FROM US.
August 26, 2008
11:29 p.m.Report inappropriate content
No more close up pictures, please. I beg of you.