Judge Buttner Rules
A Hearing was conducted by Judge Buttner today, it began at 10:00am, was reccessed in order for the witness the Defendents wish to testify could present themselves. The Hearing was reconvened at 1:15pm and was over at 3:30pm based upon my watch, and when people started talking and when people stopped talking. Fred was up against 3 Attorneys, all on Conference Phone. The witnesses were Barbara Kirkman and Scott Miller.
Even though a prior experience of appearing in front of Judge Buttner had left a very bad impression on me he was a different man today. He was polite, soft spoken, tolerant and patient. I was actually surprised the event lasted as long as it did. In his order he spoke kindly of Fred saying that "The Court notes that the Plaintiff presented his case admirably, and the Court has compassion for his predicament and has equal compassion for enforcing the law as it sees fit, fair, and appropriate." The order also says"It is unfortunate that the Clay County Supervisor of Elections office determined that the Plaintiff failed to qualify properly until over thirty (30) days after the Plaintiff wrote the check to qualify as a candidate."
At the end of the day folks the Judge ruled against us, denying all of Freds motions.
Now, the important thing in all of this was that Fred saw what he thought was a need that he could provide for. He did what he could with the best of intentions, no conscious or willfull thoughts or actions but to offer himself up to serve as County Commissioner for District 5. He asked nothing of no one, he offered his money and he offered his time. He was willing to serve at a reduced salary and put the power for a raise in the hands of the people. He was willing to give up whatever benefits he could that we did not need. Are there grounds for appeal, yes, there are. However at this point it is spitting in the wind to hope that he could get back on the ballot from any other court. This was his intent all along, to be on the ballot, to offer up a choice and if nothing else force the Republican driven machine to the November ballot. Any further appeals at this point would be for punitive damages......money. If we were able to win it would be the taxpayer paying those damages. Not the Sec of State, not Barbara Kirkman, but you the citizen. We didn't start this to achieve a financial goal, we will not pursue this when the only thing that can be gained now..........is a payoff. This is our personal responsibility to you our fellow citizens. While it might benefit us personally to continue on, it will not benefit the citizens, and that TRULY IS THE REASON WE'VE GOTTEN INVOLVED. Fred could have done much on the BCC for you, but that is no longer possible. Instead we turn our eyes to the future, to the defense of the Citizens Right to Petiton their Goverment, as should you. For those of you who gave Fred your vote before it was cast, we Thank You and ask that you now turn your attention to those matters which can be effected and changed. For you naysaying obtuse people who love to kick people when they're down I say to you "Kiss my Grits" We have both conducted ourselves with honor, we have stood for right when it was not easy and we stand tall and erect with a sense of pride that we did the right thing when we started, and we did the right thing in choosing to stop.
Submitted by lilyslore on Fri, 08/08/2008 - 6:51pm.
...I can not say I am surprised. Never do anything that puts you in front of a judge. They are capricious, egocentrist individuals. You tried to rock the corrupt Republican Machine and you lost. I am very sorry about this. Even more so, I am saddened by thetheft sanctioned by Barbra kirkman. The woman should be ashamed. Somehow, I doubt she has that capability. Mike Heemer is now our only way to send a message to the Power Horders in this county. He has my vote. Go Mike!!!! Lily's Lore "I don't ever want to be rescued And I don't ever want to be saved I got a feelin' that I'm gonna be alive forever Dancin' on the edge of a grave..." Jim Steinman
Submitted by jimmaxie on Fri, 08/08/2008 - 7:29pm.
Thank you for trying. I know this has been an extremly emotional roller coaster that you have boarded. Thank you Maxie;)
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle Submitted by tsunami on Fri, 08/08/2008 - 8:21pm.
Looks like I'll be pulling for Ronnie now. The JD guy doesn't impress me and I think Rutledge has been over his head. What really has he done since he has been in the seat... Think about why Ronnie is running....
Submitted by Jackal on Fri, 08/08/2008 - 8:57pm.
Marsha, Walking away is the smart thing to do. Good Luck! Oh, almost forgot, the remarks "kicking a person when they are down" you , yourself seem to be guilty of that on numerous blogs that you replied on. Remember God is watching. Submitted by Sunflower on Fri, 08/08/2008 - 9:25pm.
As D#5 residents, my husband and I are both saddened to hear that not only will we have no choice in November, but the citizens of the County have also lost the opportunity of Fred serving on the BCC - this time around. You both have our admiration and respect for the good fight you wagered against the Republican machine in this county. And...Jackal, your login and avatar seems appropriate for the unnecessary remarks you chose to make. Welcome to the MCS blog. Judy And folks, please don't forget we still have a battle to win here if you want a choice to vote YES or NO on 3 charter amendments. Support the CTLAC: www.CTLAC.com Submitted by packy on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 10:03am.
FYI, First, all candidates pick up an election package from the SOE. Inside this package contains a green election book. This book must be read and an affidavit must be signed stating that the candidate has read the book and understands the contents of this book. Then the affidavit is handed into the SOE. Second, don’t wait until the last minute to hand in your qualifying package (One hour before the end of qualifying). If you are so passionate about being a County Commissioner, then you should have been proactive getting your qualifying package in EARLY. Prior planning prevents poor performance.
Submitted by finder on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 10:18am.
Packy; I hope you keep that sentiment in mind when the 46.5 miles of bad toll road fails and costs Clay County tax payers millions of dollars. The illegal dumping will seem like a bargain. BTW, the reason they have a deadline is because that is the deadline. If you had to go in early then that would have been the deadline. Deadline means you can walk in 1 second prior and you are still on time. Mike Heemer
Submitted by Jackal on Sun, 08/10/2008 - 1:26pm.
Remeber Polictics is a dirty game, but you have too many other fine things in your life such as your family not to allow such a thing to bother you. Good Luck !
Submitted by lilyslore on Sun, 08/10/2008 - 3:36pm.
...are gathering. Mike, did you not gag reading the fluff piece in today's Business section of the paper? While reading how wonderful this abomination is going to be I couldn't help but note the glaring lack of facts pertaining to the bad things about this beltway. Who was this article written for? I found it very suspicious as to the glossing over of the tax free status that some are seeking to build this monstrosity. And not a word on the criminally inflated price the state will smilingly hand over to the owners of this useless land. And why not a mere mention that our free bridge will be sacrificed on the altar of greed to pour even more obscene profits into this criminal enterprise. I would write a letter condemning this article and the outlook it presents but the T-U does not allow anyone to challenge their fatted calves. Thank the deity o' the day for this blog. Lily's Lore "I don't ever want to be rescued And I don't ever want to be saved I got a feelin' that I'm gonna be alive forever Dancin' on the edge of a grave..." Jim Steinman
Submitted by finder on Sun, 08/10/2008 - 6:00pm.
Lily; I read that fictional short story with great interest. Wow another Realtor from Watson is thrilled. How unique is that? I'm usually not this suspicious about things but as soon as I mentioned the article to my wife she made the statement that it was there because I irritated someone on Monday night at the Clay Hill forum by making some disparaging remarks about 46.5 miles of bad toll road and how this mess was indicative of how far off track our County Government has gone. That never crossed my mind but I wonder if it could be true. I'd be giving myself more credit than I think I deserve if I said it was, but I guess it is at least in the realm of possibilities. Mike Heemer
Submitted by lilyslore on Sun, 08/10/2008 - 6:35pm.
...the Bobbleheaded Beldame formerly known as Republican Truth 1 Too Many (and ain't that an oxymoron for the ages) is giddily imagining untold profits at our expense when her useless straw is spun into gold by the clueless clutzes of the FDOT? Lily's Lore "I don't ever want to be rescued And I don't ever want to be saved I got a feelin' that I'm gonna be alive forever Dancin' on the edge of a grave..." Jim Steinman
Submitted by oneguysview on Sun, 08/10/2008 - 6:57pm.
Mr. Heemer- I also would liek this toll road stopped. Can you suggest anyways to do this? I think we have to start by not electing Commissioner Rutledge and anybody else who is pro this terrible idea. I would like the other real estate folks to give their feelings who are running for a seat on the board. I am beginning to suspect a well thought out plan in having three real estate folks all running for the three open spots on the bocc. Or maybe I'm just paranoid.
Submitted by finder on Sun, 08/10/2008 - 7:03pm.
Hey just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you. I don't want to hijack Marsha's blog any more than I have. Take a look at the new blog I wrote. Mike Heemer Submitted by packy on Mon, 08/11/2008 - 6:10pm.
Heemer I guess what your saying based on your quote is not to hand something in prior to the dealine. But wait until the last second and hope you have followed all of the guidlines, rules, regulations and election laws. However, when a mistake is made by the supposed candidate it is obviuosly someone elses fault. Then the supposed candidate goes screaming and crying to court to plead he's been wronged. HMMMM. Does this sound like a republican? We are not winers. We are REPUBLICANS. We take personal responsibliltiy for our actions. We have a corupt society of liberals that believe they are owed. It is called the "Entitlement Generation". You say "Deadline means you can walk in 1 second prior and you are still on time." Actually deadline means..."the lastest time for finishing something."
Submitted by finder on Mon, 08/11/2008 - 7:14pm.
I guess I should have been a little more specific with my 'deadline'. You are correct in that in this case it means finished by then. If it just means turned in then mine would be correct. However, the paperwork was finished in accordance with the instructions given by the SOE before the 'deadline'. And which mistake was that? The one where he listened to expert advice from the SOE? Admitting your mistake and taking responsibility for it are two different things. The SOE is real good at admitting mistakes. It just isn't real good at taking responsibility for them. Witness the CTLAC petition. And she is a Republican. As to being winers, there are plenty of them but you have to wait till after 2 on Sundays to buy more. Now if you meant whiners just take a look at the law suit against the 3 CTLAC petitions. Whaaa, the voters of Clay County are so uneducated that they can't read and comprehend these petitions produced by those rocket scientists. Take a look at those petitions and tell me you can't understand what they say. If I didn't feel sorry for that poor man I'd be insulted that he just called me and every voter in Clay County stupid. For the life of me I can't figure out why a man would put himself in a position like that. The rewards cannot be worth the price. Oh wait, one last question. Does that sound like a Republican? It must because he says he is. You just have to be careful which examples you use there Packy. Mike Heemer People are talking about ...Here are the recent blog postings with the most comments. |
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Thanks for the update. I'm sure that this is a bitter loss but you both have taken the high road through all of this. I admire you for that.
It is shame that the people were not allowed the choice in November. It would have been a good thing for the voters. Fred has much to offer this County in the way of experience.
As to the future, think of this. If the petition to remove the +2 fails, there will be an at-large seat on the ballot in 2 years.
Mike Heemer