The upcoming vote on a self-imposed tax hike, affectionately referred to on topix.com as The Parton Tax, could be more than a vote to boost to capital projects. This could be seen as a mandate for change. Jack Parton, Sevier County Director of Schools, has stated that to deal with overcrowding, we should be willing to give more money to the government. He has stated that this is needed strictly for capital projects to keep up with the influx of citizens. He points out that out of a $1 bill, after taxes, the charge would be $1.10. He has stated that this is needed to overcome the shortfall as a result of the change in BEP funding from the state. By taking out the emotional aspect of how he is viewed as a leader, we can see where his leadership choices may not be in the best interest of the citizens.
In his statements, Jack Parton has referred to overcrowding in the schools as a primary need for a tax increase devoted entirely to his building projects. However, our farms have been dissected into subdivisions. Lowly-taxed farm properties and forest land have increased to highly-taxed residential or commercial properties. Take for instance a 20-acre farm passed down through inheritance taxed at an appraised value of $100,000. This farm generated little or no real revenue for the government. Perhaps 1 family with 2 children lived on that farm. That farm, subdivided into ½ acre tracts with a home on each tract, now appraises for $150,000 per half-acre or $6,000,000. The tax revenue is now 40 times higher than it was previously. Oddly enough some smaller lots in Sevier County have sold, with and without homes or businesses, for even higher amounts of money. This increase in land value should cause the local tax coffers to rise exponentially. After all, not every property comes with the addition of 2 children needing an education since many people are retiring here or purchasing high-dollar rental cabins.
Jack Parton also makes the argument that in a $1 purchase with an after-tax-charge of $1.10, the business keeps ½ cent by rounding up. His argument is that the public does not see that partial-cent refund and would not miss it. Yet businesses, including locally-owned mom-and-pop shops, would be forced to give up some of the moneys that make up their ever-so-slight profit-margin. In this time of financial need from all sides, I would prefer that businesses continue to make a profit so as to maintain a workforce. For people to pay for this tax hike, people will need jobs. For businesses to provide jobs, businesses must profit.
Jack Parton has stated that changing in the BEP (method the state uses to disburse funds to the counties) is the reason for the need for construction-specific taxation. However, Sevier County High School has been over-capacity (overcrowded) since before 2003-2004 school year. These numbers were taken from the Tennessee Department of Education system report-card web-site. The February school board meeting had a presentation by students where it was shown that Sevier County High School was 640 students over capacity. The newly-redesigned web-site for the school system shows that Sevier County High School had an enrollment of 1704 students during 2007-2008. BEP funding was only changed in 2007-2008 school year. This means that the high school overcrowding problem has been ignored for well over 4 years even while we were receiving maximum BEP funding.
Some in this county have questioned why the Sevier County Board of Education keeps Jack Parton as the superintendent. The obvious reason is that every time he asks for government handouts at tax-payer's expense, the commissioners cave. Rather than asking commissioners to cave during an election cycle, he is asking each voter to willingly sacrifice his/her income for his projects, all for the sake of the children. However, a firm and resounding NO to the Parton Tax by members of the community could embolden the members of the Board of Education to seek new and robust leadership for our children's sake.
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User Comments
Amen! Vote No. Stop the wastage. Stop the cronyism and nepotism.
The kids that attend Sevier county schools will not see any benefits. Monies are misappropriated now, why should we agree to further misappropriation? Only one to benefit on a increased tax for capital projects is Parton himself.
Let us reduce Parton's salary and rid some positions specifically created for his friends and family members in the central office. That will free up a significant amount of $$$$. Why does Parton drive a Hybrid at the taxpayers expense? Why not a significantly and substantially cheaper car?
We need new leadership. Why do Board members bow down to King Parton. At this rate, we should refer to him as Madam Parton, being all his little supporters are doing tricks to get this tax hike passed. Send a clear message. Vote NO.
It is time for time - however, it will take a clean sweep of the School Board along with the Director of Schools.
Each are joined at the neck with each other, all gasping for more of the same, Board Members employed by the School System - why the heck will these people force themselves to make change at their own expense, 'why that wouldn't be ethical'!
He's right, wouldn't the influx of people year after year mean that they are moving to higher valued properties including farms that are selling for a small fortune. The incoming people should be making up for the school's own shortfalls.
Mr. McGaha is to be commended for his letter - I believe he has personal knowledge of how the schools are run and we should pay attention to his comments.
Jack Parton could better serve the county if he stepped down and continued what he's been doing since about 1994 with his co-developers in building subdivision after subdivision, not only in this county but in Jefferson County.
Perhaps he has given less attention to the county's business than his own personal affairs - he could do well just to relinquish the $130G the county pays him and stay in business for himself! He and his co-horts in business have increased the tax base by the sale of farms, after subdivision, we could give him a big 'thank you' and send him on down the road.
Stop the waste and the fraud at the school board, then and only then will we talk about more money for schools. Jack Parton has so many family members and friends employed at the schools - and they all drive cars that we pay for. Vote NO on the Parton Tax! Send them a clear message. This was a great article, glad more people are speaking up about the waste and abuse from Dr. Parton. He and all the current board members need to go.
Thank you for speaking the truth. You have said what all of us are feeling.
We must collaboratively act to get Parton and the school board members out.
Most citizens believe Jack Parton to be crooked and the capital projects he promotes for the schools will benefit only a selected few, him included. Deceptively tries to portray how it is "for the children."
Wonder if that capital project would include an upgrade to his apartment style office? Do we need a superintendent who has an apartment for an office? That is enough to make me regurgitate my dinner.
Jack needs to be investigated and possibly arrested for criminal misappropriation of taxpayer money.
Jack Parton needs to go along with the rest of them.
Jack Parton paid $159,481.plus Car, fuel & Phone - per Budget Committee Recommendations and full Commission approval last night! - takes home:
Salary $127,445. after we pay,
$1000. career ladder,county also pays SS taxes - $7964., state retirement $7500., travel pay of $12,800, medical & dental insurance of $910.00. medicare $1862. & $578.00 other fringe enefits -
PLUS CAR, FUEL, PHONE ETC.!
Parton could hardly contain himself at last night's meeting, understandably so!
Commission voted 'yes' on Sorry School System performance on recommendation of Mayor & His Merry Budget Men! See why Parton's Tax really gets an 'F'!
VOTE 'NO' ON THE PARTON TAX!
Parton controls the system with an iron fist. If they just stopped the waste and all the corruption, they wouldn't need a new tax. It is a bottomless pit with Jack Parton in charge. The board is made of of all his friends and he takes good care of them but not the students. Vote NO on the Parton Tax.
That's a good arguement. With all of the development, that improved land value should have spilled over into school development projects and growth. Maybe the county commissioners should take over building management and construction and let Parton relax from the burden of begging for money when he should be worrying about education. Maybe then the commissioners would decide whether to build an event center or a new school and show where their priorities are.
Oh come on. Jackie and Warren need us to help them avoid impact fees as they continue to develop property in Sevier County. Over 600 deed transfers in one year with their names on them? Whoa! Who is getting rich? The Parton Tax is the right name for it, Parton/Hurst tax would be better though.
Warren is a low life un-educated thug who has gone to bed with those who rape the taxpayers of the County. I.E. Jack Parton, Larry Waters, the Judges in all courts... and the list goes on and on...
It truely is time for change and not just the name on the office door. Its time for complete government reform. We need a County "Charter". But first we must get a handle on who programs our voting machines and or counts the votes. Thats the real problem. Does your vote really go where you cast it? No.... and there is no oversite of the Election Code.
The commissioners would all vote for the events center every time - that is why we are in this situation now. They neglect and shirk their duties to "oversee" the county's business and leave it up to incompetent people, like Jack Parton, to do as they please. With no oversight or direction from anywhere, Jack populates the school board with his cronies. The board does exactly as they are told. We see this process repeated all around the county in various departments. Unqualified people related to some commissioner being placed in a county job that he/she is totaly not fit for. Jack and the entire school board need to be replaced immediately. It won't happen until parents and teachers wake up and stop giving in to Jack's every wish. Jack Parton is ruining the educational system in Sevier County. Vote NO!!
Vote no on the Parton tax. We do not need additional an additional regressive tax that will not be put to any productive use. Let him take hits out of his salary and perks. That will free up money to put to good use.
# 12, What is your suggestion to ensure votes from Sevier County voters are counted appropriately? Most people oppose a tax increase especially in these uncertain and hard economic times. If it passes, you are implying it is rigged?
I agree, some people in a postiion of power in county jobs are not really corrupt, they are just incompetent in the job they have been asked to perform. They obviously got the job because of nepotism but don't really have a clue how to do the job. They try hard but are just not qualified; but they are not corrupt and out to personaly profit from the taxpayers. A good example of this might be Doyle Clabo,the county Storm Water manager. He is a nice guy that is just out of his comfort zone but he is not trying to "game" the system and profit from it. Jack Parton, on the other hand, has consistently tried to rig the system in his favor and do everything he can to wrest maximum control and power from his position. He uses job positions as political favors and always tries to maximize "his" position in all that he does. It is never about the kids or education. Jack Parton has questionable leadership talents and has not really done anything to bring any improvements to our school system. His leadership style demoralizes the entire department and many of the best teachers have left already. As long as we keep pouring money into his pockets to be used as favors for his friends and family, he will continue to ask for more. I too will vote no on the new tax until we get some honest leadership at the school board. I don't understand how the county commissioners can defend this man and his petty nepotism. His new tax will not make any difference to our children.
Self esteem is not the problem of Jack Parton, he has more 'face' then a crowd of monkeys! His ability to supervise has been called into question and he has lame excuses as his answers when asked about political signs on school propery at Primary voting in February. He 'has too many employees' to know what is going on, he asked if he, personally, should take down signs? I won't give you the answer he got, but, the signs came down then, and they have recently come down regarding the sales tax vote!
Seems he doesn't learn first time, he has to make a run on the same issues for the second time, and so frequent!
No wonder double-dipping was found within his employee and another department of the county; no wonder, illegal gun sales' operation is questioned and has been for some time at the school garage by one in management, here again a definite mention and allegation as to waste in county assets and employees!
Is that a familiar saying now when reflecting on reality of nepotism and cronyism in the county business - it's isn't who you know but what you know on who you know!?
How much 'reality' are we going to be forced to swallow until enough voters go to the polls and vote 'no' - can enough people vote against the referendum to over-ride the deficiencies in the voting machines, doubtful.
How many, in comparison to those opposing and proclaiming to vote 'no' have you seen make a show of hands in favor of the referendum,
it doesn't make sense that the question will pass, we pray not!
The Power of Five is something you'd heard spoken and seen it in print. This was recently referenced in a writing by a citizen and in conversation explaining that - for every employee hired by the School Board and under the control of the Director, Jack Parton, there will be five folks coming from that employee in favor of the iniative set forth by Jackie Parton.
Records show there are 300 employees of the School Board, this means 1500 votes which will be offset to defeat his iniative.
Can we do it?
It won't happen if, tomorrow, you sit on your behinds and do not go to the polls and VOTE 'NO'! There is no middle ground on this question as too much is at stake and a message must be sent loud and clear that we want no more of his-type operation, the welfare of the county demands his stepping down or replacement by the School Board. If the School Board won't, or can't, function property as to the interest of their constituents as opposed to self-gratification, they they all need replaced!
Day after tomorrow it will be too late to talk about this vote, so, now is the time to act. Vote No, No, No!!!!
How is it that only Sevier County is pursuing the additional sales tax and not the bigger, more industrialized counties? Why can we not fund our schools without increasing taxes with millions/billions coming into this county. Get a liquor by the drink tax... force the sinners to pay! Why not put THAT on a referendum instead of a tax-yourself-into-prosperity-tax.
Time folks to draw the lines - better he go than we, we are the people and concerned for the common good! Parton has been a liability for far too long, let's see that he goes and we stay to clean up the mess we've stewed in for many years. Why not turn Parton's iniative around and see that he has brought on his own demise?
The Countdown will soon begin.
Momentum is building to defeat the sales tax referendum in Sevier County.
Wise words have been spoken and written, where will we stand or will we make a stand?
Contact at least five persons and make sure their concerns are focused on the welfare of Sevier County and not business as usual.
The time for change is now!
You people need to face reality. I'm not saying it's good or bad, right or wrong. I am saying that Hoss Seals will be elected sheriff and this sales tax proposal will pass. Period.
# 21 Well neither will get my vote. Crooked is as crooked does.
The Sheriff's race and the sales tax referendum in one sense is a rather temporarily issue - as it will take, likely, two years to have either issue settled completely.
Those two years will pass quickly despite the affect
had on lives of Sevier County citizens. We have been too long in focusing our efforts, dollars and time on highly important issues which have gone amuk, but, not unlike the oil situation we face, a start in the right direction will be a new beginning.
We are beyond the point of just leaving it for someone else to do, just leaving it to our repesentatives in county government - that is, if we can get to them to express our view - and another 'if' whether or not they care in the second place.
Only swift, deliberate and precise movement will bring these changes we deserve. If you are not now ready, can you get ready soon?
Don't be afraid to vote "NO" because it will hurt children's education. The children's education was hurting long before this vote came up. Whether it passes or fails, this county will still have its shortcomings in education. This is not about education, it is about a MONEY-GRAB.
What do you do when money is tight at your house? You do without luxuries, don't you? You tighten your budget don't you? You trim out extras where you can don't you? Why won't the government get rid of it's luxuries?
Are you telling me that people making $7.55 an hour at the strip malls and only getting 40 hours per week can buy a car and drive it back and forth to work and anywhere else they need to go, but a man making over $130,000 a year from just one of his many enterprises CANNOT?
Jack Parton sits on his brain,
not enough room between the ears!
You people talk a good talk but most of you will sit on your ass Thursday and not go vote. I will be there with a smile on my face even though I know it's going to pass. These voting machines are rigged like the slot machines at Cherokee. It will be a miricle if the tax is voted down. Even if it is...they will find another way to stick it to us. Just look at knox county with the wheel tax.
Go Vote Today!
I've done my part....
Will someone please tell me how to get rid of Parton? He is not an elected person. He has ruined Sevier County schools. If you are not rich or play like your rich you are dirt under his feet. Him and all of his friends need to be ousted. Our schools would not be overcrowded if all the illegals were sent back to where they come from. Just tell me how to get Parton out!!!!!
Replace the School Board, every-last-one-of-them!
They are responsible for playing the game of Nepotism with Parton, we know 3/5 rule the roost! Make them pay the price they have forced us to pay! Remove them as they next come up for election, beginning next year. Too late now for this year, McClure is in.
McClure should have been starting point and work from there, let him sit there and witness what he can expect next race, good for him to see the hand-writing on the wall. Hope he is miserable.
McClure has a child that works for ole Jack Parton. Everywhere they the school board members and Parton are somehow intermingled and intertwined. Board member children work on Jackie's payroll. Let's rid Parton. Let us rid all school board members. Board members have done nothing for the children in the county, nothing for the parents of the children, and nothing for the taxpayer funding the whole damn thing. Look out Becky Barnes in the 5th district, you will not run unopposed like McClure just did!
Beware Jim Wade in the central office, you will not always be negotiating for the taxpayer, being you are a union paying member and teacher. Why are you negotiating for the taxpayer? Did Jackie tell you to do this? Sounds like a conflict of interest? It is. Small wonder that bad teachers are well insulated and we are unable to rid them.
There is a lot we can do as citizens to change this farce.
We defeated the tax hike! Thanks to all of you that got up off your ass and voted. We won by something like 70 votes!
And before you democrats say a thing...It would have not helped your stupid kids one bit so STFU.
Already thinking of what we shall hear in the way of 'lamenting' - this was heard before when said to one Commissioner who voted against a tax hike. he was asked 'do you not care about the children'? This vote sends a strong message, seems a greater success than you might first think, as there were enough to defeat any rigging that might have been attempted in the machines, this is where I see the victory! This was a vote against Jack Parton and not against the children, teachers stand up and be counted, demand something better than you have as your 'superior', kick these School Board members off their seats, unless they have grown to their =them - I believe it can be done. Send Jack Parton over to Jefferson County to open up another sub-division, maybe he can do for Jefferson what he has failed to do for Sevier County.
Just a thought-Park all the maint vehicles. Buy your own gas and pay for wear and tear on your own vehicles. That should save. The rest of us do it and I bet on less pay.
While gophering around I am hearing that Senator Finney may have gotten a good taste of what some others of us have regarding the powers that are here in Sevier County?
One has to experience a good taste in order to legitimately understand the effects of our political process here and to take seriously the results of the elections as it pertains to questions raised earlier about the voting process. I believe that THAT has happened to Senator Finney. We support his raising questions regarding the vote and hope he will go forward to making that inquiry legal and soon. One must walk in the shoes of the offended to have that clear under-standing and meantime be labeled a 'reject', neverthe-less, victory can be sweet and if you have been there you know what I mean.
Good Luck Raymond Finney!!
Give it all you got, then some as an extra for those who are not in a position to speak out!
so he lost but he should have one I get it so pay some one to recount it out of the budget right?
Statutes provide for legal remedies to contest an election - to take another route, Sen. Finney's option will be to hire an attorney to represent his interest. This ist he Big Gamble corrupt officials take in whether or not the offended person has the for-with-all and the fortitude to defend their position. Sometimes they get up against someone who is assertive, agressive and will fight to the end - there should be more people standing their ground and not laying down, then the process will change and we will have more accountability from public officials. To allow this means giving to corruption and fraud, and we must stand this test!
MOST ALL OF THE GOOD TEACHERS HATE JACKIE
I've done my homework. I know!
I believe that is correct - holding our public officials accountable is the goal. They have never had the public involved enough to hold them accountable and so they have run amuck quite frequently in the past. Lets rain them in and get them back on the right track. Honest and Open government!! Too bad it takes lawyers and the courts to do that but they asked for it. Larry, never ignore those in charge when they speak to you.
For sweet sensitive, non-assuming citizens who trust that everything is always okey, never ask any questions and depend on others to carry the load for their benefit, can now without criticism, remorse, public humility or embarrassment join in with their small but important contribution to make government better in Sevier County.
No excuses will be accepted and those who criticism need turn their rath in another direction, for now is the time to protect your rights as citizens, promote a better future for your children and stand with those with a common urpose, and that is simply to assure that the affairs of Sevier County Government, thus the people, are handled according to the law, nothing more nor nothing less! Is that not plain and simple, and who can argue negatively against such an approach.
Is not NOW the time to make your stand?
To break your silence, or to raise your voice will now be the popular thing to do, then when wrongs have been redressed, there is transparency and openness in county government, you can go back to Speaking Softly!
Today a lawfile suit filed by H. Moncier in Knox County to seat the newly elected officials immediately and removing those appointed officials was dismissed - but, did that bother ole Herb - heck no! He threatened in a veiled statemento file Ouster Suit against the Law Director Owings who ws to leave office September 2nd anyway, and he did - All in One Day!
What do you think about Herb?!
Herb not only talks the talk, he walks the walk!
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