springs-sprung's Blog

Folks,

 I promised way back in August to advise the outcome of the SCLLR hearing on the house in Chestnut Springs owned by Bill and Deborah Chandler.  You'll remember Stan Welch's article about lack of performance by Anderson County Building officials?  I caught a ton of crap stating my position on the validity of Mr. Chandler's claims that the county Building Officials failed to do their job.  Everyone on this forum bashed Stan and called Mr. Chandler an 'unqualified' engineer.

The verdict is in.  The SC Commission of Labor Licensing and Regulation found FOR THE CHANDLERS ON ALL CLAIMS.  SCLLR stripped the builder of his license, awarded the Chandler's his posted bond, stopped the builder's work on all currnet projects and will not allow him to be licensed again in the state of SC.  The state agreed the county FAILED to do its job.  The Chandlers should handily win the civil suit currently against the builder but even better for all of us taxpayers....

Can anyone say LAWSUIT against the County????  And the Anderson County Building Official's did their job- my big ole ....well you know.  God I LOVE it when I'm right!!!!

We need REFORM and we need it NOW!

Folks,

 I promised way back in August to advise the outcome of the SCLLR hearing on the house in Chestnut Springs owned by Bill and Deborah Chandler.  You'll remember Stan Welch's article about lack of performance by Anderson County Building officials?  I caught a ton of crap stating my position on the validity of Mr. Chandler's claims that the county Building Officials failed to do their job.

The verdict is in.  The SC Commission of Labor Licensing and Regulation found FOR THE CHANDLERS ON ALL CLAIMS.  SCLLR stripped the builder of his license, awarded the Chandler's his posted bond, stopped the builder's work on all currnet projects and will not allow him to be licensed again in the state of SC.  The state agreed the county FAILED to do its job.  The Chandlers should handily win the civil suit currently against the builder but even better for all of us taxpayers....

Can anyone say LAWSUIT against the County????  And the Anderson County Building Official's did their job- my big ole ....well you know.  God I LOVE it when I'm right!!!!

We need REFORM and we need it NOW!

The body of this letter was faxed to every SC Congressman and 2 Senators this morning.


2 October 2008

Congressman Bob Inglis 202.226.1177
Congressman Gresham Barrett 202-225-3216
Congressman Jim Clyburn 202.225.2313
Congressman John Spratt 202-225-0464
Congressman Henry Brown 202.225.3407
Congressman Joe Wilson 202.225.2455
Senator Jim DeMint 202-228-5143
Senator Lindsey Graham 202.224.3808

Via facsimile
Subject: The Bailout Bill

Congressman of South Carolina,

PLEASE VOTE NO!

We are extremely disappointed in the Senate leadership rushing to push though a bill that guarantees nothing, does not address the underlying issues that created the financial crisis this country faces and which took less time to craft (spending $800 Bn in tax dollars) than the time it took to consider legislating steroids in baseball. We recognize a short term fix needs to occur however haste makes waste. All credibility is lost with the Federal Reserve and the Treasury leadership. We do not believe the same people who told us the bail out of Bear Sterns, Freddie, Fannie, AIG, et al would ‘solve the problem’ know what they are talking about in term of this next bailout plan being the panacea. Paulson and Bernake need to go ! Our elected representatives need clear heads, to consult with economic specialists who can actually see both the tress and the forest , and most importantly to listen to the voice of the people. Your 'party' did not elect you, and it cannot save you if those who did become disenchanted. The voice of the people should determine how you cast your vote, NOT THE PARTY, on what will likely be the single most important piece of legislation by our leaders in the history of these United States.

Through the passage of this singular piece of legislation we will have witnessed the beginning of the end of our country as our forefathers intended it to be. Should this bill pass we shall have brought forth not a great nation but rather the final stages of the socialization of America. We hope the HOUSE can save us from taking the wrong fork in this all too important road. Rest assured, your vote will be remembered not only at election time but for generations to come. Senator Graham has lost the balance of our remaining support, and Senator Jim DeMint our appreciation for standing firm in the face of this crisis.

Please let cooler heads prevail. Surely this great country can afford the extra days it may take to craft a legitimate problem-solving approach to this financial crisis rather than responding to the yell of "FIRE' in a crowded theatre? The foreclosure cycle is 18 months to 2 years, hence the issue at hand is 2-4 years old which would indicate these banks have been hiding' their true solvency for quite some time, and yet now it's a crisis? It took us years to get here; the problem cannot be solved in less than 72 hours with this egregious stroke of a pen.

HOUSE MEMBERS PLEASE VOTE NO!

When I am wrong, I admit it- I falsely accused Jim DeMint and was advised by someone in his office that he IN FACT never voted on the bill Monday (yes reading newspapers can cause confusion when they state Gresham Barrett was the only South Carolina elected official in Washington who voted against the bill): Jim DeMints statement regarding the proposed bailout bill is below:

DeMint Opposes Wall Street Bailout

Plan does not solve the problems that caused the current credit crunch, and could make them much worse

22 September 2008- Today, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) announced his opposition to the $700 billion plan proposed by the Bush Administration to bailout Wall Street.

"After reviewing the Administration's proposed bailout plan, I believe it is completely unacceptable. This plan does nothing to address the misguided government policies that created this mess and it could make matters much worse by socializing an entire sector of the U.S. economy. This plan fails to oversee or regulate the government failures that led to this crisis. Instead it greatly increases the role for Secretary Paulson whose market predictions have been consistently wrong in the last year, and provides corporate welfare for investment firms on Wall Street that don't want to disclose their assets and sell them to private investors for market rates. Most Americans are paying their bills on time and investing responsibly and should not be forced to pay for the reckless actions of some on Wall Street, especially when no one can guarantee this will solve our current problems."

"This plan will not only cause our nation to fall off the debt cliff, it could send the value of the dollar into a free-fall as investors around the world question our ability to repay our debts. It's also very likely that this plan will extend the cycle of bailouts, encouraging other companies to behave in reckless ways that create the need for even more bailouts, triggering an endless run on our treasury. This plan may make things look better for Wall Street in the next couple months, but the long-term consequences to our economy could be disastrous.

"There are much better ways of dealing with this problem than forcing American taxpayers to pay for every asset some investor doesn't want anymore. We should start by reforming government policies and programs that created this mess, including the Federal Reserve's easy money policy, the congressional charters of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the Community Reinvestment Act. Then Congress should pass a number of permanent and proven pro-growth reforms to encourage capital formation and boost asset values. We need to make permanent reductions in the corporate tax and the capital gains tax rates. We have the second highest corporate tax rate in the world, which encourages companies to take jobs and investment overseas."

"It's a sad fact, but Americans can no longer trust the economic information they are getting from this Administration. The Administration said the bailout of Bear Stearns would stop the bleeding and solve the problem, but they were wrong. They said $150 billion in new government spending using rebate checks would solve the problem, but they were wrong again. They said new authority to bailout Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would solve the problem without being used, but they were wrong again. Now they want us to trust them to spend nearly a trillion dollars on more government bailouts. It's completely irresponsible and I cannot support it."

Unless it is explicit in stating that individuals can not date other indivduals, then it would appear to fall to a case of individual judgement, i.e., the personal choice between two people, neither of which is YOU.

Anyone, even if they have half their brain tied behind their back, is well aware that people meet and date folks from their working environments. It's a practice known as "fishing from the company pier." While some folks may object to this practice, it is VERY common.

I dont guess anyone ever thought of the possibility that, if in fact there is/was a relationship with a subordinate, and it went sour, a lawsuit of 'sexual harrasment' could be brought against Joey and hence the county?  While, yes it is relatively common for people to date within the workplace (although many places have set forth in their  HR manuals' a no-no for work as a mating pool'), I should hope that a man with the responsibility that Joey Preston has would have the sense to keep his pants zipped around subordinates and thereby protect the people he was hired to represent?

Just a thought....

U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, 2006: United States Population as of end of 2006: Male 144,188,000 Female  149,647,000 By what possible definition would a subset that outnumbers the next largest subset by more than 5 million in a total set of 294 million be considered a "minority?" I'm an English major, but, c'mon, even I know the definition of "greater than" (>) and "less than" (<) in mathmatics. And from a purely numerical standpoint, MEN, not women, are the minority gender in the United States. (Petunia, Blogger, Springs-sprung, Virginia ... slap me if you can catch me ...) [image]

-jdtippett

JD- let's be fair.  Women have been at a disadvantage in this country since it's inception, unless it was beneficial to men's policies (WWII) to allow women viable entry into the workplace.  Next question- are the census data adult men and women?

"Economic Development Division Facilitated the creation of more than 10,000 new jobs with a capital investment in excess of $3 Billion (1997 to present – nuff said)"

AH, but what did the COUNTY BRING in on it's own pray tell without the assistance of the State or Upstate Alliance? Records from The State are very disparate from this reporting as mentioned many months ago on a thread labeled Economic Development.....Findings were reported based on information the State furnished, not the county."

One does have to wonder how did you manage to get your hands on this document unless you're entrenched in the Joey camp and working from the inside to sway public opinion? Just a thought that possibly the pendulum swings both ways:)

 I wholeheartedly agree that whether or not the 'intent' was to be negative, negative it is!  SHAME, SHAME! 

Congratulations Bailey!  May your star burn brightly, your talent improve as a fine wine and your human spirit and abilitiy grow in such a manner as to bring honor not only to yourself, but also your family and your hometown .  God speed!

Please point out where "council" has set a policy that Preston has failed to follow?

-republikin

 Or rather, please point out which policies Joey has set that council failed to follow?   My view is that is the more accurate position.

When did you ask me some questions JD?

-white-plains-drifter

I recall when he asked you to proved them...lol.

They expect the Council to set the policy and the Administrator to play by the rules and follow it. That does not require him to be fired to accomplish that. I am sure they will "not cut off their nose to spite their face" in regards to any employee who does a good job for the County. 

-nomadron

If in fact Mr. Preston would allow council to set policy and follow (FOLLOW being the operative word) that policy, he could probably retire here in his position as Administrator.  Unfortunately I don't think Mr. Preston's ego will allow that to happen.  He has a raging reputation in the majority of upstate counties as an ego-maniac having earned the name' King Joey'.  I can't help but feel that if Mr. Preston had spent as much energy on actual economic development, furthering and enhancing county infrastructure, etc as he has on posturing and trying to outmaneuver his opposition on council, none of us would have anything to talk about, and Cindy Wilson would very well be a different sort of politician as she would have little to criticize.  I say again, where there's smoke, there's bound to be fire, and it's been pretty damn smokey in JP's administration.  I have never understood why he's been so resistant to open government.....inquiring minds do want to know.

'The criteria for ANY contractor is difficult at best ( High performance bonding requirements, work comp insurance, liability requirements for damages, etc.) that many minority and small business owners who'd LIKE to bid on jobs simply are priced out of the market by larger firms which can offset with other jobs paying for the priveledge of bidding.  As bidding is done by lowest bid wins, how can the small companies and firms expect to even break even, let alone make profit with such extreme expenses up front?'

Wyatt,

Very well put!!  Another example of how legislation  again impedes those it was set forth to ultimately assist.  I have a question that I hope someone can answer for me...I've yet to truly understand why the 'minority' bid process precludes a business owned by a woman.  Not only does the bid process no longer recognize a woman owned business as a minority, but neither does the IRS.

Just to make WPD happy, and ensure he retains credibility, RANT! RANT! RANT!

"Wow, didn't realize District 6 only had one voter living there. Don't you think that, just maybe, he is doing what some voters are asking him to do?"

Darling, there isn't one voter in District 6 and I never intimated that there was only one voter.  However I certainly have the right to do my level best to ensure that my vote counts towards someone who actually sticks to campaign promises and does what he or she said she would do when I first voted for them now don;t I?  And you have the right to vote how you so choose.  I also have the right to state my views when I disagree with my Councilman without being subjected to smart ass remarks by someone who has yet to offer anything of substance to this debate.

Now, I have things to do, like write/lobby/solicit signatures for Dan Cooper and Kevin Bryant about the lack of training, education and continuing education for residential builders in this state, along with the need for more county inspectors who are better supervised- a real need in every county in this state.  I would hope all of you would be concerned enough to do the same .  I should think if in fact you;re a concerned citizen you would be outraged, rather than trying to attack a reporter , defend a councilman and undermine me.  But then that's just this woman's opinion:)

 "Moreover, all the staff is certified and experienced. In addition to having two state certified building officials among top management, the Building Codes Director and the Assistant Director are graduates of Clemson's structural engineering program. You're barking up the wrong tree, plain and simple."

WPD-

Then maybe THEY should be doing a little better due diligence?  Just a thought.  I didn;t realize no firebrick, no lintel in a brick chimey, missing piers in a foundation much less, an exterior wall improperly framed, no flashing so water pours between the walls , missing hurricane clips and improper framing in the roof , etc equated to 'missing insulation' but then what do I know as I certianly am not as intelligent as you it would appear:)  Again, we'll let the facts speak for themselves.  I just keep thinking about that sticky note that got sent to LLR from the county- no cover letter, just a sticky note attached to the independent structural report the State sent back to the county to handle.  It was lovely!

Enjoy your day- it's difficult to discuss anything with someone who's an expert on all things and so judgmental on my alleged 'rants' when I haven't even posted on this site in well over 4 months, so I'll defer to your wisdom, bide my time and prove you wrong when the state rules.  How's that?  Fair?

"Spring, your derogatory references to the honorable Ron Wilson, County Council District #6 representative, tell me all I need to know about your view of the world. You already already spent whatver credibility you ever had about this or any other issue on your past rants about JP, the budget, the 800 Megahertz system, etc. This is just your latest baseless attack against the county. As for state legislation, go speak with YOUR state senator Kevin Bryant. Senator Bryant owns any deficiency we have with regard to state legislation on homebuilders and the inspection process. Has he introduced any legislation to address these severe limitations you've raised? If you can ever extract Kevin's head from Mark Sanford's a55, perhaps you can whisper your concerns about the need for more state GUVMENT regulation of home builders into his ear. Yep, I'll be looking to hear the Senator's proposals on more GUVMENT regulations to protect the TAXPAYER from the homebuilder VERY SOON. You're a great American Spring."

My my- I don't ever recall ranting about all of those things but again, thank you for giving me such an esteemed position! 

As to Ron Wilson, I have little to no regard for him and his ability to bend in whatever manner the wind blows in an effort to preserve what I perceive to be his hide as opposed to serving the voters of his district- of which I am one.  I've seen his performances first hand and am typically not moved.  No Emmy or Oscar for him- he's much too transparant.

As I've said before our ability to disagree is what makes this country great.  Our ability to disagree with an elected official and work to removing him from office for a better candidiate is what 1776 was all about- or will you disagree with me on that as well.

At the end of the day, for whatever reason the county FAILED to do its job.  PERIOD.  The facts will speak and as indicated, will be told, one way or the other,.   Kevin Bryant and Dan Cooper both have accountability to the voters and taxpayers of this District so my question to YOU becomes, NOW THAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE INEQUITIES IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE REGARDING CONSTRUCTION WHAT WILL YOU DO?  HMMMM?

"Now you totally reverse directions, and say that YOU are the one who is making the allegations..that YOU have seen the evidence..have interviewed the homeowner..and reviewed the evidence..  "

 PN,

 I don't know what you read (must be that Klempsun education), but I never said it was ME making the allegations.  What I believe I said was I was I was FAMILIAR with the case as I know the Chandlers and have seen the documentation as well as the inadequacies at the home.

 Again, the county signed off on a structure that did not meet the minimum accepted standards for construction and did not meet the International Building Code specifications.  That is the plain truth.  Dpoesn't matter who did it, the fact is it was done and the county is responsible.  There is documentation that bin July of 2007 Mr. Chandler contacted the county with a deviation log outlining the deficiencies, and received no response.  It's difficult to argue with photos, 2 engineering reports and copies of the approved stages of construction by the  county.  It's just that simple.  Certainly there has to be a reason this was allowed to happen.  The question is HOW AND WHY?

I wasn;t present when Mr. Welch wrote the article nor was I privy to any conversations held between he and Mr. Chandler but again, the facts shall speak for themselves in October.

WPD-

Just so I am clear from you latest post, we need to be fair to the Homebuilders Association who controls the legislation  whereby no contractor requires education prior to licensing (or at least as less than a hairderesser, nail tech or realtor requires by law) much less continuing education, the county who failed to protect the TAXPAYER and PASSED framing, roofing and foundations much less all the other issues the taxpayer is left with, and the state who is prosecuting both (after 15 months of trying to achieve resolution as a last ditch effort to get the county to perform), AND the TAXPAYER /VICTIM gets left off of your list?  Are you certain you're not my flip flop representative Mr Wilson?  Yes indeed time and FACT will tell.  That sticky note will definitely come in handy:)

Rest assured, this issue is just getting warmed up...hooorah!  And the county is not off the hook.  Art rules- and I mean photos:)

 Jane- you're a smart lady- as most of our sex is, and you GET IT...

WPD-

You're entitled to your opinion having so much information available in forming that opinion, what with that one phone call. I'll weigh in on the determination of facts presented by the distinguished Mr. Chandler, the State Investigator, and the independent structural Engineer after the LLR hearing on 29 October 2008 in Columbia SC. 

Just to clarify, I happen to be in the real estate development business and have a true interest in this case.  I believe the correct outcome could effect REAL change with the inequities dictated by the Homebuilders Association at the state level.  I also believe the correct outcome would offer the citizens of Anderson County BETTER opportunities for training and certifying it's inspectors.  But a big thanks for considering me as a cub reporter- that's quite a compliment coming from such an erudite individual  as yourself:)

Stay tuned - it's gonna be a wild ride:)

PN-

 Again, I have seen the house, seen the reports, the dated photos, the file (all 5 boxes worth although I haven;t gone through all of them), seen LLR's interpretation and EVEN seen the county's sticky note back to LLR when they turned the case over- "I concur" that's all there was-when no one even came to the house.  So the county agrees there are violations after the fact and YET THEY PASSED THE STRUCTURE?

 I am not being fair - I know these people and hence have a good grasp of the facts- and so I apologize both to you and White Plains- but again, I truly believe before it's all over to quote a line from one of my favorite movies 'You tell 'em I'm coming, and hell's coming with me'....My guess is the Barry Holcombe's bunch   better hang on tight- if the LLR hearing turns out the way the state , the state attorney and Mr Chandler seem to think it will it may get a little bumpy for those guys after October 29th.

It's truly frightening that the Homebuilders Association has such a chokehold on the state legislature and from my perspective is thereby putting the citizen's of SC at risk.  I also cringe to think that those who are in fact building inspectors, and NOT just in Anderson County, but across the then entire state don't have the training or the support required to ensure safety standards are met.

I work in the development arena and it's criminal what passes because someone either doesn't care, doesn't understand or JUST DOESN'T SHOW UP to inspect but rather takes the contractor's word that 'it's fixed'.  My guess is that if the State took this particular case on it's because a) the county in fact passed the buck and did not do their job and b) the contractor egregiously failed to meet the minimum standards.  LLR just doesn;'t take a case they don;t expect to win.

You know they call them PLANS ,  SPECIFICATIONS and INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE STANDARDS for a reason- they ain't a just a suggestion for the builder!

To the best of my knowledge this is accurate.  I encourage you to reserach and let me know if I am incorrect-life is a learning process and I can use all the help I can get!!

I do know for a FACT however that anyone can take a 6 week class at Tech, pass a test, post a $15K bond and call him or herself a licensed contractor building homes up to $2MN, AND that NO continuing education is required.  Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside doesn't it?