A South Carolina county councilman who founded an especially rabid Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) chapter is under fire for allegedly steering a $400,000 government contract to his daughter and then giving the county’s administrator – also a SCV official – a $1.14 million buyout that was more than twice the amount left on his three year contract.
Where is all of this Rebel boondoggling taking place? Anderson County, of course.
Ron Wilson, who serves as District Six Councilman as well as Commander of the Manse Jolly Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, is rumored to have named former county administrator Joey Ray Preston the adjutant of his SCV organization in exchange for the taxpayer-funded perks.
From the Williamston Journal:
According to documents obtained from Anderson County, a lucrative consulting contract was signed by the county and a consulting firm owned by Allison Schaum, the daughter of District Six Councilman Ron Wilson, just three weeks before Wilson unilaterally arranged a $1.14 million buyout of former county administrator Joey Preston’s contract …
“I instructed our attorney to work something out with Mr. Preston so that we could move forward,†said Wilson at the November 18, 2008 meeting. Wilson said he acted as an individual Council member and not as the chairman of the personnel committee. He later said he was acting as both, a discrepancy that has yet to be explained.
That “something†Wilson instructed attorney Bright to work out with Preston’s attorney was a buyout agreement which gave Preston $1.14 million in compensation and benefits, as well as ownership of the
Chevrolet Denali which he had driven as county administrator.”
A Chevy Denali, too? Nice …
As hard as it is to believe, there are actually governments on earth that are more tragically backward than the one that runs our state (on an 1895 Constitution, no less).
The only problem? They happen to be South Carolina’s local school boards and municipal governments.
Of course as it we said before, this is happening in Anderson County, which is about as surprising as the gravity currently holding you to the earth.
By frank February 13, 2009 at 3:49 am
How much of this money did Senator Jakie Knotts get? You know he loves his confederate flag.
By Anderson is fighting back February 13, 2009 at 10:43 am
You have barely touched the perceived corruption in this county. This guy’s daughter lives on a farm in Woodruff. She owns like 6 acres, but the working part of the farm is owned by her daddy Ron Wilson. Hmmm….
Also, she didn’t have any contact/contracts until daddy got elected to county council. hmmmmm…..
Have you ever seen a buyout clause for a contract employee? She gets one, a big one. It is minimum 30 hours per week @$75.00 per hour (year 1) 85.00 per hour for 30 hours in year 2, and 95.00 per hour for 30 hours in year 3. That’s if she is terminated!
It’s open ended if she works or bills the county. Also, she can hire employees (open ended numbers) at half of her hourly wage, plus travel and expenses.
There is another contract concerning a current State Senator from Columbia. It’s supposedly a sweetheart deal too. Stay tuned………
By Workin' Tommy C February 13, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I’m proud of my heritage and my ancestors’ willingness to die to preserve the principles of the U.S. Constitution. There is no shame in admiring and defending the efforts made by Southerners against the burgeoning fascist, mercantile empire of the Northern robber barons.
I think that this alleged corruption is a result of a “Confederacy of Dunces” and not the Confederate States of America.
By James the Foot Soldier February 13, 2009 at 4:39 pm
How’d that whole CSofA deal work out tommy boy?
Help me out – what clause of the US Constituion allows seccession?
There was an easier way for your ancestors to get out from under the thumb of Uncle Sam than die at the business end of the fascist bayonette – move back to England – oh, my bad, they had already outlawed the slave trade – surely there are still places on the planet where y’all can traffic in human beings -do us all a favor and move there.
By The Doc February 13, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Hey fascist James!
Help ME out: Which article in the Constitution did not allow secession?
By James the Foot Soldier February 13, 2009 at 11:29 pm
doc the illiterate,
That’s easy – to anyone with a 9th grade comprehension of the English language:
Atricle 1, Section 10, Clause 1: “No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation;”
And the teeth of the constitution that granted the authority of the United State Army to quell the insurrection is Article 1, Section 8, Clause 15: “To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;”
Thankfully the four South Carolinians that signed this document knew its meaning:
J. Rutledge
Charles 1ACotesworth Pinckney
Charles Pinckney
Pierce Butler.
Unfortunately some bastardize my State’s proud history.
I’m proud of those that fought with valor.
I’m NOT proud of why they fought because they did not die to preserve the principles of the United States Constitution – they died to preserve a plantation lifestyle for a select few – if that doesn’t wrench your heart nothing does.
By BIN News Editorial Staff February 13, 2009 at 11:57 pm
sic(k) willie, you sure bring out the wackos.
Is there anything unethical or illegal about this? If so, present facts, details and proof. Frankly, we don’t have a dog in this fight. We are just trying to potty train you about being a responsible journalist.
By paul c graham February 14, 2009 at 12:54 am
Mr. Foot soldier-
Did you learn nothing from my response to you on the burning of Columbia? Why don’t you go back and check that out:
http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/02/09/were-celebrating-this/#comments
I am beginning to think that you ignorance of American history with regards to the Confederacy is willful. And if you are a foot soldier, I shudder to think for whom you march… Baelzebub?
By JosephineSouthern February 14, 2009 at 9:54 am
James with a 9th grade education can you read this?
“The future inhabitants of [both] the Atlantic and Mississippi states will be our sons. We think we see their happiness in their union, and we wish it. Events may prove otherwise; and if they see their interest in separating why should we take sides? God bless them both, and keep them in union if it be for their good, but separate them if it be better.”
– Thomas Jefferson
To fitsnews, so what he belongs to the SCV? Your 15 minutes of fame has been noted by the press of Southern Confederate bashers; You made it clear that the SCV and Confederate Southern Americans have nothing to do with this claim of government corruption. And After all wasn’t obama absolved by you press guys of all his bad Chicago friends and connections. I believe the press brokered something like this: Just belonging to an organization, church, neighbor friend, working relationship doesn’t make obama one of them.
By James the Foot Soldier February 14, 2009 at 10:17 am
Mr Graham,
I notice you did not answer any of the questions I posed to you – typical rebel yeller – all talk and no concern for truth. Yes, 2 DAYS of sufferin’ were endured by the populace of Columbia. War is hell.
Now, please speak to the truth of the 2 CENTURIES of sufferin’ that were inflicted upon by the black populace in the “genteel” south?
Sir, you are not ignorant and appear to possess sound ability to unearth facts. True Southern Gentlemen anxiously await your research findings.
My allegiance is the the flag of the United States of America – it’s clear for which flag the good ol’ boys in Anderson are marching – which flag do you pledge your allegiance?
By James the Foot Soldier February 14, 2009 at 10:28 am
Miss Josephine,
The question posed to me was which ARTICLE of the United States Constitution did not allow seccession.
I’m not lawyer (THANK GOD) but if my high school civics class memory serves me correctly, the WORDS of Thomas Jefferson carry a bit less weight than the words of the United States Constitution. He obviously didn’t have enough support to have those inserted – and scholars such as Mr. Graham could duly note the United States Constitution was ratified unanimously.
Have a pleasant day,
JTFS
By Standaman February 15, 2009 at 8:40 am
The Manse Jolly Camp is a political cabal made up of Dan Cooper, Brian White, Ron Wilson, Joey Preston, and others intent on maintaining their hold on power in Anderson County. The corruption that defines Anderson politics will inevitably and irrevocably stain the SCV. It’s a damn shame that a man who thumps his little pouter pigeon chest in Southern pride does so much harm to that very heritage.
As an SCV member myself, I wish Ron would decide to be a Southern defender or a damn crooked politician, one or the other.
By Standaman February 15, 2009 at 8:44 am
Below is a portion of Stan Welch’s Seems to Me column which appeared in last week’s issue.
One is hard pressed to believe that Wilson knew nothing of this second contract, especially in light of his extraordinary behavior in ramrodding through the million dollar plus buyout for Preston, just seventeen days later. Quid pro quo? It is difficult if not impossible to believe otherwise, especially given the personal nature of the relationship between Wilson and Preston.
Both are members and officers of the Manse Jolly Camp 6 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans; both are clearly intent on politicizing that supposed genealogical and historic organization. Preston is quoted in the Camp’s newsletter as crediting its rapid growth to the fact that so many political heavyweights from the area were recruited.
Others on the list of members, and frankly, some of these are heavier weights than others, are Dan Cooper, Brooks BrownIV, Brian White, Bill McAbee, and Tim Busha. Now, in some places, that’s a pretty formidable list of names; in others, it’s a rogues’ gallery. But regardless, it’s pretty strong indication that there is a lot of cross pollination going on between various levels of government; an awful lot of mutual back scratching going on. An awful lot of quid pro quo.
By StupidShouldHurtMore (SSHM) February 15, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I thought Stan was fired from the Journal. Hrmmmm . . .
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By paul c. graham February 16, 2009 at 8:13 am
James says:
“I notice you did not answer any of the questions I posed to you – typical rebel yeller – all talk and no concern for truth. Yes, 2 DAYS of sufferin’ were endured by the populace of Columbia. War is hell.
Now, please speak to the truth of the 2 CENTURIES of sufferin’ that were inflicted upon by the black populace in the “genteel” south?”
Graham says:
No one, especially me, is defending slavery, only the fact that the invasion of the south was illegal and that Lincoln has no concern for the slaves, so it cannot be used as a legitimate ends to justify a means– if morality and common decency would even allow such a thing.
The south did not invent slavery and cannot be held responsible for slavery in a historical time and place when slavery was no only legal, but accepted as such by the United States.
No confederate flag ever flew over a slave ship. This is a weak justification for a gross and illegal usurpation of power that has had the direct result of centralizing government power.
There were slave states who fought for the Union– Kentucky and Maryland come to mind– and non-slave owners, the vast majority of Confederate soldiers and citizens, in fact, that did not own slaves, who fought for the CSA.
There were free black slave holders and blacks who served in the Confederate army– this is not a simple middle school text book issue…
To lay the sins of the Union at the feet of the South is intellectually dishonest and has no basis in reality– although it does make some folks like you feel better about their country.
It’s quite typical, in fact, of Yankees (both born and home-made) to distance themselves from their own sins and blame them on others while failing to mention their own role in both the slave trade and slavery within their own borders.
What happened to the slaves in those northern states when they began to pass manumission laws? WHy, dey wus sold down da riber! Then laws were passed to forbid the entrance of “free negros” into their free labour (white labour) zones. Fine folks they are!
Massachusetts was the only state, as I recall, that did not legally sanction slavery at the time of adoption of the Constitution– this did not mean that they didn’t participate in the slave trade after that– they were big players in that profitable business.
Look, it’s not my job to provide you with an education, especially when you ought to know better– when has the government ever done ANYTHING that was designed for the betterment of any citizen or slave (little difference now)?
Next thing you are going to tell me is that the move to Socialism in the USSA is being done for some higher good. Come on, man. Wake up!
James says:
“My allegiance is the the flag of the United States of America – it’s clear for which flag the good ol’ boys in Anderson are marching – which flag do you pledge your allegiance?”
My allegiance is to my family, then to my community, then to my state, then to the constitution of the country in which my state is connected by compact.
Allegiance to a flag is idolatry and creates situations like the one in which this country now finds itself.
We are on the Titanic. We are sinking. We have 50 lifeboats, and people are still talking about how we can and must fix the ship.
Why? Because they love Union more than life or liberty…
Well, let me be the first to tell you in case you have not figured this out for yourself already, the ship can’t be fixed!
Forget the flag, man, you are missing the point all together!
You are now the slave and you are defending the honour of your masters. Wake up and face it now before it is too late!
By paul c. graham February 16, 2009 at 8:21 am
P.S.- Since my name was evoked above in the statement cited below, I thought I’d respond.
By James the Foot Soldier on February 14th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Miss Josephine,
“The question posed to me was which ARTICLE of the United States Constitution did not allow seccession.
I’m not lawyer (THANK GOD) but if my high school civics class memory serves me correctly, the WORDS of Thomas Jefferson carry a bit less weight than the words of the United States Constitution. He obviously didn’t have enough support to have those inserted – and scholars such as Mr. Graham could duly note the United States Constitution was ratified unanimously.”
Secession, is authorized by the 10th amendment to the Constitution, which is further elucidated by the Virginia and Kentucky resolves written by Jefferson and Madison in 1798.
Not that I think a piece of paper makes much difference when the enemies of freedom and liberty have money and guns. But if you need a piece of paper to tell you what you already know to be true, then there’s your source.
By Cooter Brown February 16, 2009 at 8:40 am
Wha’sup wit dis James feller?
By James the Foot Soldier February 16, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Mr. Graham,
The 10th amendment in NO terms authorizes seccession. I notice you omitted the text in an effort to futher you CSofA distortion. Here in its entirety is the 10th amendement:
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
Secession was expressly PROHIBITED as I referenced above in response to doc’s question: Article 1, Section 10, Clause 1: “No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation;â€
(the english language is tough on those rebel yellars)
Futhermore, your and Lady Josephine’s habit of referencing “resolves” and expecting those to carry the same weight as the UNANIMOUSLY ratified United States Constituion while making for hysterical CSofA talking points does not make legal the illegal.
Again, you refuse to answer the questions I posed to you. Your research eloquently professes the horrors endured by the citizens of Columbia for a very brief moment in time – now, see if you can be a man and bring yourself to speak the truth of the 2 CENTURIES of rape, murder, whippings, and other inhumane treatment of the black populace.
By Rex February 16, 2009 at 10:23 pm
The stated Articles are being quoted for convenience by James. Both are intended to be a prohibition stopping states from independently working with another country. The Constitution does not prohibit states from leaving the union. Even Lincoln quoted that when a government goes against its people they have a right to over throw it ( my paraphrase). We tried. The problem is that you may have a right to overthrow it (fight) but you need to win. We tried honorably, unlike Mr. Sherman.
I wonder how much good Mr. James actually does for the world today. I see a lot of people who get fired up over the injustices of the past then run right down to the local store and buy products made with current slave labor. Try China. Go ahead put your feel good on while you perpetuate slavery Mr. James.
One more to help with your emotional rant: Slaves were the major part of the work force for many and not just the South. How much work do you get out of people by whipping and beating? How much work do you get out of people by rapping their wives and daughters? While bad things happened, it was not the norm. How many babies will die today because people like you stand for injustices of the past while today runs on?
I suggest you read for truth.
By James the Foot Soldier February 18, 2009 at 12:08 am
We’re all aware that the Article noted prohibits states from enterting into treaties with other nations. Nice try. Now Rex – rest your weary eyes a bit and then continue reading the rest of the Article as it deals with the prohibition to forming confederations – confederations such as the Confederate States of America.
One has to laugh at the sheer stupidity of the rebel yellars as they (to this very day) continue to perpetuate a myth that with just a tiny bit of reading ablility SHATTERS. For your reading pleasure Mr. Rex, the last sentance of Article 10:
“No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops, or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.”
Thank God most now know how pathetic the rebel yellars are and how they have become a caricature of red-neck in-bred racists in the process.
The sad aspect of all this is that folks such as Rex and Paul (who can’t to this day pledge his allegiance to the American flag) were the types of folks that spoke throughout the South and SWINDLED un-educated Southerners into supporting a war meant only to further an economic system that benefited the plantation owners.
Rex, your defense of slavery is in-defensible. Translated your defense reads: it’s ok to own another human being’s offspring and as long as I don’t rape or whip her momma I will be able to exact maximum productivity from said property.
Paul’s inability to speak to the truth of the CENTURIES of destruction of an entire race of human beings is in-defensible as well.
By Paul C. Graham March 16, 2009 at 3:28 pm
“Paul’s inability to speak to the truth of the CENTURIES of destruction of an entire race of human beings is in-defensible as well.”
What? I wrote like a whole page! (Sorry folks, I just reviewed my posts and found this sucker-punch…)
By James the Foot Soldier April 23, 2009 at 9:02 pm
You still refuse to speak the truth – speak Paul speak – the TRUTH!