Sunday, April 29, 2018

WHAT'S BEHIND THIS CURTAIN?

As our readers know, we only post when we want to discuss an important issue that has gone unaddressed and unresolved. Through the grace of God, for quite a while, all important issues have, in one way or another, been addressed by the forces that be. Such is not the case here of late.  Despite numerous efforts from several quarters, there remains an unresolved, unacceptable situation in one of Berkeley County's elected offices.

First of all, we need to provide a bit of file information on a few rules that apply to all Berkeley County elected officials. The procedural information I provide here came directly from one of these officials. It seems that, when BC officials take office, they are expected to operate, mostly, by the honor system. Elected officials such as the Sheriff, the Coroner, the Supervisor, the Clerk of Court, etc. do not carry any "official" vacation time, personal leave, or sick leave.  They are not required to punch a time clock or keep any record of their time on the job. These elected officials are supposed to use common sense and judgment when taking time off from their jobs. It seems that the only authority to be exerted over these officials concerning this issue, would be the voters.  So,  in reality, there are no rules governing the number of hours an elected official spends daily, weekly, or monthly doing his or her job.  There are no rules as to the accessibility to the voters to an elected official. There are no rules as to the participation in civic affairs by an elected official. Consequently, one could expect any number of individual results from the various elected officials. Let us delve into just two comparisons.

During the last election cycle, the voters of BC elected a new Sheriff. Since his election, it has come to the notice of the voters that this new Sheriff seems to have no concept of what constitutes a regular work day. At all hours of the day and night, the Sheriff can be found either at his desk, out on patrol, or in the process of breaking up criminal activity in the County. The voters have been made aware of his efforts by the reduction in the crime rates and the destruction of numerous drug rings within the County.   Even after putting in such long hours at his job, the Sheriff finds the time to attend  numerous political and civic gatherings, even if he only stays a short period of time due to other pressing official business. Also, the Sheriff is very accessible. It is relatively easy for a voter to reach him to discuss any problems that might arise. If he doesn't answer the call straight away, he returns calls in a timely manner.

Let's recap:

The Sheriff is in his office every day.

The Sheriff is accessible to the voters.

The Sheriff is regularly seen at gatherings around the County.

The Sheriff makes himself available to the media.

The Sheriff is doing the job the taxpayers hired him to do.


Now, let us flip this coin over and look at the other side.

We will start this comparison with a question.

WHEN IS THE LAST TIME ANYONE READING THIS POST HAD A FACE TO FACE ENCOUNTER WITH THE CLERK OF COURT?

Speaking personally, the last time we actually saw Mary Brown in the flesh was over two years ago. Since that time, we haven't seen her at the court house.  We haven't seen her at any political functions. We haven't seen her around town.  We haven't seen her at any civic functions or special occasions. We haven't seen her, period.

Naturally, after some time passed, we became curious. We started asking questions. Frankly, the answers we got were very confusing and upsetting, not to mention unbelievable.

The first information we received, over 18 months ago, was that the Clerk was in extremely poor health. These reports indicated several strokes and hospitalizations and indicated that she was almost totally bedridden. These reports were received with great sorrow and sympathy. Considering the seriousness of her infirmity,  we anticipated her resignation. After a year and a half, that resignation has not been forthcoming. Then came further reports.

Could it be possible that the elected Clerk of Court has not been in her office to do a day's work in over a year and a half?

Could it be possible that the Clerk of Court has not put in a full work week at her office in over three election cycles?

Could it be possible that a County employee drives the Clerk's personal vehicle to the courthouse parking lot every day to make it "appear" that the Clerk is at work in the building?

Could it be possible that an employee of the Clerk's office makes numerous daily trips to the Clerk's house carrying official court documents that require the Clerk's signature?

Could it be possible that an employee at the Clerk's office is, and has been for years, responsibly for all of the Clerk's courtroom duties?

Could it be possible that a closed circuit television system has been installed in the Clerk's office and the courtroom that is connected to the Clerk's home computer, at taxpayers expense? If this is true, how secure from hacking is this system? If true, who else has access to this system? If true, how is the privacy of "closed proceedings" assured? If true, do the judges know about these cameras?

Could it be possible that three local television news outlets and one major local newspaper have, over a period of the last two years,  received stories on this subject, submitted by their own reporters, and have neglected to publish the information?

Unfortunately, from personal observations, personal knowledge, and eyewitness accounts, all these things are not just possible but facts.

First and foremost, if the Clerk's health is as bad as reported, she has our full sympathy and our most sincere prayers, BUT, there is such a thing as responsibility to duty when one attains elected office. All elected officials swear an oath. All elected officials know the duties they are expected to perform. It is unreasonable to expect the taxpayers to pay an elected official while, also, paying other employees to perform the duties of said elected official.

But, the bigger question is "WHY?"  Why would the Clerk of Court go to such lengths to retain control over the Clerk's office?  Many elected officials reach the age where they are no longer capable of performing their duties and they retire. No shame in that. It happens all the time. We are cognizant of the fact that this Clerk has been in this office since the boat came over and she might be resistant to the idea of leaving, BUT, that does not explain all the elements of this situation.

Why would the Clerk perpetuate this illusion for so many years?
Why would an employee enable the Clerk to conceal her inability to do her job?
Why do other employees at the courthouse so adamantly refuse to even discuss this situation?
Why have other officials, even those with authority over the Clerk's office, ignored this?
Why have various local news outlets refused to expose this story?

In our humble opinion, that which is known (and, moreover, that which is still unknown) dictates that it is time for a complete, systemic change of leadership at the Clerk of Court's office. No one who was involved in this coverup should continue to be associated with the Clerk's office. It is past time for a clean sweep and new leadership.

The primary is a little over a month away. The existing Clerk is not seeking reelection. Check out the candidates who are running and ask questions.


UPDATE:  MORE OF THE SAME

This week the SC Association of Clerks of Court is holding its 2018 Spring Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC. As a rule, the various Clerks of Court, Deputy Clerks, and selected department heads (Supervisors) attend. The reservation cost is $300 a person.

As might be expected, the BC Clerk of Court is not attending this function due to health issues.  The BC Deputy Clerk and a few Supervisors did make reservations to attend.  The Supervisors are at the conference as we speak. However, the Deputy Clerk has been observed yesterday and the day before in the Cain Bay and Hanahan neighborhoods erecting campaign signs.

This choice on the part of the Deputy Clerk would be of absolutely no interest to anyone except for the fact that the reservation fees are payable in advance and are nonrefundable. This waste of money places the burden on us, either directly or indirectly, as it's funded with public money.