No Excuses

No Excuses

April 4, 2008

The time for excuses is over at Washington County and the leadership, if you can call it that, must be held accountable. Yes, the leadership of this county that stood back and supported for the most part the never ending corruption of the Pettit years.

As the truth is coming out, the public will be more and more astonished to learn the depths of depravity that this county has sunk to. Sexual assault, beatings at the jail, cover ups, possible deaths and more. Yes Virginia there is a hell and it is Washington County.

Now where were our leaders? The County Commissioners that still hide behind their attorneys and say nothing (except for some statements from Diana Irey, the lone Republican). The row officers that except for Phyllis Ranko Matheny and Michael Namie were more than willing to support John Pettit. The jail guards, county employees, wardens and deputy wardens that did nothing to stop this and might according to some sources have been involved in activities themselves.

The Commissioners have NO EXCUSES. Period. Either they knew and did nothing or they did not know and failed to do their job. They are the prison board, they are the ones responsible to the public to RUN THE JAIL. There is NO EXCUSE period.

Where they too busy finding ways to rewards the Stout family more tax payer money for projects? Were they too busy finding more projects to waste taxpayer money on? Maybe a contributor needed rewarded? Maybe another insider needed to be feed?

Instead of attending yet another cocktail party in which they are praised for their brilliance, MAYBE JUST MAYBE THEY COULD DO THEIR JOB. That would be a breath of fresh air.

Let me state this loud and clear:

NO ONE DESERVES TO BE BEATEN

NO ONE DESERVES TO BE RAPED

NO ONE DESERVES TO BE COERCED INTO SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS

NO ONE DESERVES TO BE RAILROADED FOR A CRIME THEY DID NOT COMMIT

NO ONE DESERVES TO DIE LIKE A DOG AND HAVE IT COVERED UP.

If any of the alleged crimes that are being investigated turn out to be true, then not only does those that performed the acts deserve to be punished, but so do the leaders of this county.

Yes, they are not blameless. They were in a position to know. Even Maggi, who has been in the Commissioner’s seat had to know if these accusations are true. He was after all, the county Sheriff, and it was his men that allegedly took the girls over to allegedly perform.

Here is the truth, cold and to the point. Given that there is a FEDERAL AND STATE INVESTIGATION into wrong doing at our District Attorney’s office and the county jail, shouldn’t the Commissioners be looking into the problem? If this even might have happened, shouldn’t they do something.

Now we have been told that they are not even aware of who is being investigated. That the solicitor is the only one that knows. The reason is to protect the Commissioners.

That is crap. Period. The Commissioners are elected by the people and they are in the ones in charge. As Calvin Coolidge stated “THE BUCK STOPS HERE”. The use of attorneys to hide behind is wrongminded and speaks not to leadership but to cowardice at best.

But they are not alone. Francis King, Tim Warco, Barbara Gibbs, Mary Jo Poknis and Sam Romano all supported or attended Pettit’s events. State Representatives Tim Solobay and Jesse White felt the need to support the stink that was Washington County. Democratic Chairman George Vitteck is still a staunch supporter of both White and Pettit.

Maggi and Burns opposed him, but did it as sheep, not as men. Hiding to avoid being caught being against their party’s nominee.

The jail needs clean up, the county needs cleaned up and the TRUTH IS THAT NONE OF THESE PEOPLE CAN DO IT.

All of those that had knowledge of the wrong doing if it is proven, should resign. PERIOD. Walk away. Show one moment of honor and dignity and do the county a favor.

Because here is the biggest secret in county politics, when this investigation is over, when the truth is known, all of those that did nothing will lose. They will be out of office. The time of cowards is over. To save this county will require real men and women that are willing to walk the walk and talk the talk.