It's 9:10 pm. Bruce Davis makes it clear that the board must look into all allegations. He offers that maybe they shouldn't have gone into closed session to discuss these allegations. Bruce does not “buy the explanations I'm hearing.” This has to do with Jenks' “raising and lowering property at will.” This is about strong public policy, Mr. Davis is asserting. The Department of Revenue investigation was a “glaze over” and was not a “true” investigation. He appreciates employees who “step up” and “stand their ground.”

I believe the Dept of Revenue was not supposed to investigate management style, but whether or not tax laws were abided by. Bruce Davis doesn't think the report was long enough. He's calling for a full report, including written explanation for what Jenks just explained. He's implying that Jenks could be “fooling” the board. There are particular properties he wants more explanation on, but again, I'm pretty sure I know something about these, and when you hear the entire explanation, the history and the laws, it seems very clear. You just have to listen and learn.

Conflicts of interest, evidence of favortism: none were found. Bruce Davis has a 1991 memo about the general ethics and COIs and favoritism. (Now Mr. Davis claims this has been a “wild goose chase.”) He's portraying the board as taking on an important public policy matter.

Paul Gibson: made the original motion to put Jenks on paid leave. He's comfortable about what the board did and he was prepared to make a motion to reinstate him (but Billy Yow beat him to it). We asked for an investigation and got one, even if we don't agree with the conclusion. “We haven't learned how to disagree in a respectful manner.” We need to get down to the citizens' business. “Enough is enough.”

Trudy Wade: the board owes Jenks an apology. The board didn't handle it well; Jenks was never given an opportunity to address the allegations. Some board members didn't get the “allegations” until the 2nd investigation was underway and he still doesn't have a full list of the “allegations.” “This board handled it wrong,” … “it was handled very wrong.”

Steve Arnold: “We treated a highly respected and highly talented employee…terribly.” Only 6 or 7 employees report directly to the board; why would anyone want to work for Guilford County? The only commissioner who had his tax bill reduced was Skip Alston. Steve is also tired of the word “allegations” and the board never heard of the properties Skip brought up until tonight. When Jenks explained that the county owns the property, Steve thinks that if he had explained it up front, we'd never have this situation. Steve quoted the bible, “Do unto others…” and said that the board did not do that for Mr. Crayton. He explained that hateful things were said to Jenks in closed session and you can't do that AND quote the bible. He said that Bruce Davis said, “We came up with nothing” and told us to remember that. He compliented Jenks' composure and professionalism. (Oh, it's so good to be an existentialist.)

Linda Shaw: this board does owe Mr. Crayton an apology, at least those who put Jenks through this…hateful things were said to the NC Dept of Revenue staff who delivered the report because “some members didn't like the findings.” Linda talked about working together, respecting each other, and sharing information.

Bruce Davis: “We're going to have some bonding time.”

Skip Alston: Doesn't seem to understand what the “state owning” property means. This should be fun in the paper for the next few days.

Kirk Perkins: thought taking it outside would take the politics out of it. We have to have investigations when things seem wrong. “We can work together,” even when we have differences.

9:45 and they're trying to call the question but Skip Alston doesn't like the “we should work together” talk. He's calling it “sweet talk.” Then he accused Steve Arnold of being the “trainer” of Republican members. Trudy Wade replied that Democrats are making themselves look bad and Republicans don't have to do it.

They voted. Alston and Davis opposed. All others voted yes; they adjourned.

It's over. I'll comment tomorrow.

By Bill Yow. 8:35 pm Discussion – Skip Alston questions/comments about information “in the public” that he has a vendetta against Mr. Crayton. Skip Alston thinks he has poor work ethics. An example of a “poor employee”. Billy Yow interrupts: this violates Mr. Crayton's rights – it's a personnel matter. Maxwell urges him to keep it general. Skip says he's stating his opinion only.

The report that exonerated Jenks Crayton? It found that “the Tax Director” has “all power” to do whatever he wants to do and he did that and abused that power. Talking about things Jenks Crayton did.

• 2004 Property re-evaluated from $400 thousand plus to $300. He “has the power to do it.” Note: I know something about this situation. Skip Alston is showing a picture of “what a three-hundred dollar piece of property looks like.” Skip implies it's a conspiracy among the news organizations not to print this story.
• Skip Alston is showing several photos or drawings of the property and nearby properties. Neighboring properties are valued much higher than $300. His tone is very sarcastic and just a little bit Johnny Cochran. His point is that “the public” doesn't seem to have a problem with this.
• He's got a photo of a property of 47 acres that was reduced in tax value significantly. He's accusing Jenks of devaluing property of a county commissioner (Mr. Landreth), who has been supporting Jenks recently.
• The “state says that the tax director has done nothing wrong.”

Skip Alston is accusing Jenks Crayton of favoritism in property evaluation. “I'm trying to fight for the taxpayers of this county,” Skip Alston said. I think I heard Billy Yow snicker out loud. Mr. Alston “tried to reason with himself” to bring a unanimous vote but he had to be true to himself. He's trying to quote from the bible but had trouble recalling the quotation. He seems to be declaring that he's on the side of truth and righteousness.

The employees in the tax department are “intimidated” by Jenks and don't want to work there. They're afraid of him, but because Jenks has political contacts, “he's going back to work tomorrow.” These are Mr. Alston's words. He's saying that Jenks would take a little old lady's house but not his political friends.

Mr. Alston is holding up a bunch of papers, claiming the press has all of this information, but is “scared” to print it. That's what he said of the Rhino; that they're scared to print it. Now on that one, I think I know better.

In a word: OMG.

Linda Shaw has her own documents. The empty lot of St. James complex where Skip Alston owes $1M. Bruce Davis is trying to tell her that is not on point. She's pretty forceful. She thinks that his quoting the bible is a bit of “nose growing” time.

Billy Yow: what Skip showed is one-sided, but appears to be damaging. However, the investigators looked at all properties valued lower than $10K. Billy is pointing out that the properties Skip showed have other problems that Skip didn't mention. Easements. Toxic stuff in the ground. Billy, in this case, has the facts and I have to admit, I know about these two properties that Skip Alston displayed. Billy is right; there are extenuating circumstances on both the properties Skip displayed. Billy said something else: The county comminissioners voted OK on all the properties in question. The valuations are signed by the appraisers. They've seen the paperwork (the board). He's speaking loudly: if folks don't want to work for Jenks Crayton, they should resign. Billy is citing Jenks' raising the cities' rankings in collections to #1 and #2 (HP and GSO).

(I'm an existentialist, I'm an existentialist….)

It's almost 9 p.m. Skip Alston is repeating that reducing the property valuation was done wrong and the county lost a lot of money. I wish that Skip Alston either had all the facts or would read them. Oh, gosh, now he's calling him “Superman” Jenks Crayton. Egad. “Call me what you want to call me, but you can't call me no liar.” Skip claims that he's devaluing property of “rich” friends to keep his tax rate for the county down. Egad v 2.0.

Carolyn Coleman asked Jenks to give an explanation of those 2 properties. Jenks came to the mike. He thanked everyone for the opportunity to explain these two properties and he's delivering an unimpassioned logical and factual explanation with numbers. The building is owned by the dept of transportation which collects the rent. He asked if his explanation was sufficient.

Carolyn wanted to ask a question; Bruce Davis interrupted her and pulled, “I am the chairman and I'll call on people…”

The second property: there's a program from the Farm Bureau of NC and it has strict requirements. the 47-acres is in the “farm use” program and is taxed based on soil qualities (which are on a state list). Because it qualifies for the program, the tax value is lowered.

Skip is in a very nasty mood tonight. Skip named a property; Jenks asked to see the tax card (I guess he's supposed to memorize every property). Skip refused to let him see it; said “you have all power” and why don't you know what the card says?

Bruce Davis is talking about another property; not letting Jenks see the factual record, and asking for formulas. From memory. Jenks is talking about Superfund Liabilities, but I'm not sure Bruce Davis understands it. Why is Bruce so sarcastic, too?

Bruce Davis now wants to read a statement. It's important that taxpayers and citizens are made aware of why 6 commishes were on a “witch hunt” and this was “certainly not a witch hunt.”

Come back for “it is not a witch hunt” statement soon.

I surfed. This is a Scottish soldier sitting next to Queen Elizabeth. His kilt is a little too revealing. (The Habitat discussion continues.)

UPDATE: The motion passes.

I admit: I ate a sandwich. They're talking about Habitat for Humanity wanting to develop land for tracts and low-incoming homeowners in eastern Guilford County. This is good discussion and a worthy group. I'm enjoying the discussion and the sandwich was OK. “All God's people have the right to live in a safe and [decent - I think] home.” What a great mission statement.

OK, Skip Alston got in his dig: The tax dept isn't just one person; it's made up of many and isn't “run” by one person. This was in response to a motion to continue an item until Mr. Crayton is “reinstated tonight.”

Update: Mr. Kinlaw has a stack of rebates that the Commishes have to approve. The debate is over whether they should wait until Jenks Crayton is reinstated before going through the list, or if they should go through the list now. Jenks Crayton's name is typed on the document but he did not sign it. A little posturing but not a bunch. I *think* this is a normal set of rebates that they vote on and Mr. Kinlaw works on them every month. The point is: Mr. Kinlaw works on the reports, but the Tax Director usually reviews that list. The discussion is: should they review the document tonight. Mike Winstead says wait. Billy Yow asked a question and Bruce Davis called the question for a vote on the substitute motion.

They voted; Mr. Davis said it failed, but was corrected: it passed, 6-5.

The gentleman speaking is a minister whose church did not complete certain nonprofit papers needed for tax-exempt status. He says he asked Jenks Crayton, who thought the papers should have been part of the property closing, but his attorney says no, that's not usual. No matter when or where, the papers weren't signed and the church may have a tax problem. He seems to believe that the county should protect his church and give them relief. I'm trying to figure out why (I'm not experienced at government or politics first hand and can always learn something new). Mr. Davis is talking to him about the Equalization and Review process. He now says that the Tax Dept told him that only the County Commissioners could solve this problem. Mr. Davis is talking to him a lot, but has not talked to any other speaker tonight. He's promising to get in touch with the speaker very soon. I need to think about this.

Had a little wireless connection issue that Ben solved (and caused) and I'm now ready to blog the meeting. Darned migraine. Anyway, it's 6:40 pm and it's fairy quiet and orderly. Let's hope it lasts. I'll post every now and then during the evening.

Mr. Davis is declaring a proclamation for Emergency Medical Services week in Guilford County. Very nice and well-deserved. Nice applause. And a resolution about “Bighouse” Gaines. Very long proclamation but he was a very big man.

It's time for speakers from the floor at 6:55.

• A very nice lady is talking and to be honest, I've used the window-in-a-window thing on the TV to watch CNN news while she talks. I swap back every now and then as she talks.
• The next gentleman is talking about knowing where our taxes go.
• Jackie Manzi is talking now about the “voting situation we have now in Guilford County.” She says we don't have “clean” voting in the county. “Anonymous” voters — who are supposed to be living in non-existant housing and worse.
• Next speaker: a gentleman talking about Trudy Wade's election case. I just noticed there's a 3-minute timer on the podium in front of the speaker. I wish I could tell if the speaker can see the clock — wish I were there.
• Now a woman is talking about her support for Dr. Trudy Wade and recognizes the trying time she's been through.
• Next, Bill Moser in support of Dr. Trudy Wade and thanking her for spending her own money on this election fight.
• Next, Bob Cone! I know him! He's talking about the public library; I think he said he's chair of the library board (the phone rang, I missed it). The library programs sound very successful. Bob's a lawyer but I like him anyway. He's quoting Richard Florida. No wonder I like Bob.
• Now another woman speaking in support of Dr. Trudy Wade. She's discussing how important it is to have every person's vote counted.
• A gentleman is speaking — he owns a greenhouse business on Highway 150, I think. He's “competing with government” in his opinion and his livelihood is threatened. Another gentleman is talking about unfair competition in farming.
• Another gentleman talking about the farmers' inability to compete against the County farm and how it is undercutting private business.

I'm going to stop blogging about the speakers and listen to them harder. This is fascinating, even if it's not noisy and angry. What a relief.

Folks were right. Some of the meeting is good but not exciting. But this is what government is really about. The things we've been blogging and reporting about regarding the County Commissioners is, unfortunately, critical but serves to take us away from these important and caring people's concerns.

A while ago, Billy commented that Center City Park was a “big old mudhole” or something like that. I wondered: What can people do in a big old mudhole?

Take a look at what you can do.

Congrats to Senior Resources for a wonderful fun and informative day. It was tres crowded under the tent. The music, btw, was GREAT.

I really, really wanted to go to the County Commish meeting tonight but an unexpected migraine is keeping me here. Well, if it's on cable, I'll blog it from the kitchen.

Ed's posting away about the October 7-8 ConvergeSouth conference in Greensboro. It's amazing; I didn't know Ed 6 months ago and now I realize that everyone knows Ed and he's invaluable to have on a committee where you have actual work that needs doing.

Phase 1 of the conference Web site is online here and if you read between the not-so-subtle lines, you'll note that ConvergeNorth, ConvergeEast, and ConvergeWest are in our plans. This is a link screaming out BOOKMARK ME!

We were challenged to think “big” by one of our biggest (and Greensboro's biggest) cheerleaders, and I'm feeling pretty good about rapid and rising community support.

This is a Greensboro effort and if you've ever done anything civic and worthwhile here, you know what that means. This isn't “our” conference. It's Greensboro's conference. (Now all we have to do is convince Mayor Holliday [pdf] that blogging, at the least, isn't too hard.) My job? I'm admin. I get to print, collate, and make nametags.

As Ed explained, we want everyone to participate so we're keeping the cost as low as possible (like: free). Food costs, we're looking for sponsors (I found a sponsor expert in Ed's comments) and we're trying to be as diverse as possible. I always complain there aren't enough good women bloggers and this will try to help repair that. We want more bloggers and online creative people from all groups and we're making it as easy as possible for you to attend, but we're making worth your while to meet and learn and talk to some of the pioneers in the sphere.

I think our only rule is: you can't make puns out of the word “blog.”