Post: 1,204
Hermann Hearsay sat down with A. E. Newman this afternoon for an exclusive interview. We asked very specific questions about the operation of county government, and Mr. Newman forthrightly answered each and everyone. A transcript of our interview follows:
Hermann Hearsay (HH): Mr. Newman, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us this afternoon to answer a few questions. I know you have been busy with your door-to-door political campaign.
A. E. Newman (AEN): You're quite welcome. I'm pleased to do it!
HH: I was hoping to get your candid reaction to the state audit reports for Gasconade County. As you know, these reports were posted on the State Auditor's website a few weeks ago.
AEN: If I am brutally honest with you, I was absolutely appalled! Our 2010 audit report contained many serious deficiencies. I consider the deficiencies found in the County Treasurer's office to be very serious. I mean that guy can't even balance the county's checking account! I am concerned about the use of public funds by our County Sheriff for what amounts to political affinity newspaper advertisements. These ads should be paid for by the Sheriff or by the Sheriff's political campaign fund. They should not be paid for by county taxpayers! Serious deficiencies have been reported in previous state audits. Just go back and pull up the audit reports for 2002 and 2006. Now, who has the overall responsibility and accountability for all things financial within a county. By statute, it is the County Clerk. What the dickens has she been doing all of these years! She certainly has not been excercising her oversight responsibility over all county departments, and she has not been working to improve the county's financial systems and financial controls.
HH: Did you see Daniel Penning's 'Letter to the Editor' in The Hermann Advertiser-Courier today? He criticized Joey Grosse, the County Treasurer, and Lesa Lietzow, the County Clerk, for poor performance. What did you think about his criticisms?
AEN: As a matter of fact, I did read the Hermann A-C today. I agree with Mr. Penning. I couldn't have written that letter any better than he did! That's why I supported Sharon Meyer for County Clerk in the recent election. We need changes in a number of county offices. The County Clerk is just one change that we need to make!
HH: Let's switch to a different subject. You may be aware that Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost called for a vote to pay off the legal defense bills incurred during the so-called "salary overpayment" lawsuit by Southern District Commissioner Jerry Lairmore and former Northern District Commissioner Max Aubuchon at last week's County Commission Meeting. He asked current Northern District Commissioner Matt Penning to second his motion to pay the bills. Penning declined. Lairmore could not second the motion since he had a personal interest in the matter. Jost called for a vote anyway. Penning abstained, and Lairmore abstained. Then Jost made a unilateral decision to pay the bills which are said to amount to approximately $52,000. Does he have the authority to unilaterally authorize a $52,000 payment ...... without a 2/3 majority vote to do so?
AEN: My opinion is that the Presiding Commissioner does NOT have the authority to authorize the expenditure of $52,000 of county money completely on his own. My opinion is that he would be violating a Missouri State statute by acting unilaterally. I believe that it also does not display particularly good judgment on his part to act unilaterally since this is a highly visible and controversial issue within the county. I am not an attorney, but my opinion is that by unilaterly authorizing the expenditure, the Presiding Commissioner would place himself in violation of RSMo 49.220. I might have that wrong, so don't hold me to it. Perhaps you could consult with an attorney or perhaps the Prosecuting Attorney herself.
HH: Do you think the Presiding Commissioner will sign county checks to Lairmore and Aubuchon at the County Commission meeting in Owensville tomorrow morning?
AEN: Wow! I just don't know the answer to that question! I would advise the Presiding Commissioner NOT to sign those checks before he gets competent legal advice and weighs the political implications of doing so. If I were him, I would consult with the Prosecuting Attorney.
HH: Switching once again to another topic, how has your campaign been going? Are you being well-received by the folks in the southern district?
AEN: I am having fun! I am going door-to-door and I have been meeting with small groups. I love the interaction, the give and the take. I'm learning a lot! Yes, I think I am getting a good reception. People are interested in hearing about the issues facing the county, and they want to know my positions. By starting two years before the election in November 2012, I have allowed myself plenty of time to meet and talk with most of the people in the southern district.
HH: Do you believe you can unseat the incumbent, Jerry Lairmore?
AEN: I think I have a good chance. It won't be easy, but if I keep working hard, yes, I think I can beat him!
HH: And now with our remaining time, let me ask you a couple personal questions. Is that OK?
AEN: Sure! Fire away!
HH: Why do you even want the job of county commissioner? There is so much controversy and so many issues to deal with!
AEN: I know what you mean! Sometimes my wife asks me the same questions! Ya see, the thing is that I've had some good people down here ask me to run. They feel that we need to make a change, and they don't see anyone else who is willing to stand up to the incumbent. I'm just hard-headed enough to stand up to the incumbent and point out the things he ought be doing for the people of his area and the things he ought not be doing to personally enrich himself. Anyway, I've made commitments to some good people down here, and I intend to honor my commitments to them.
HH: How's your son doing at Mizzou?
AEN: Oh, thanks a lot for asking about him! He loves Mizzou! We drove up for the K-State game a few weeks ago, and had a great visit with him! He's studying hard. 'Thinks he wants to be a nuclear physicist! Ha ha ha! We'll see! I just hope he doesn't melt down that reactor they have on campus near the football stadium! I wish him all the best! He's my pride and joy!
HH: 'Just noticed that it's ten till the hour. If you're going to be on time to your meeting with that ladies sewing circle, I guess I had better let you go! I want to thank you so much for the interview. We will also be trying to schedule an interview with your opponent, Mr. Lairmore.
AEN: I enjoyed our talk. The time flew by very quickly! Let's do it again when I have more time!
Reciprocal Links: http://www.DSchaefer.Vemma.com (Nutrition For A Lifetime), http://www.Heart2HeartLyrics.blogspot.com (Song Lyrics Seeking Singer-Songwriters), http://www.HermannMoNews.blogspot.com (The 'Drudge Report' of Hermann), http://www.RivertownRecipes.blogspot.com (Great Local Recipes), http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Natural Products)
Other Recommended Links: http://www.HermannAdvertiserCourier.com (Gasconade County's Newspaper of Record), http://www.Time4Pie.com (Great Pie, Coffee & Conversation)
