Clayton.Talk

By Laverne

January 14, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

What on earth is going on in this place?

How can this possibly be?

I wish those kids the best.

By Jeff

January 14, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

What is going on? We have a “brilliant” and “unselfish” school board member named Rod Johnson who called for SACS to do an investigation — when in reality he is the guilty one. Reminds me of scenes in the Bible: Nathan to David, “Thou art the man!” I hear that he told fellow board members that he had to look out for his family. What? Was the heat getting so bad on him that he would make such a drastic move to try to divert some heat from him? Yes, I think so. Absalom! O Absalom! Rod Johnson! O Rod Johnson! Why have to treated us so badly?!

By Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon

January 14, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

Hello, my fellow Reprobates and Clayco Thugs! It sounds like Rod Johnson needs our prayers. Everyone can be forgiven. Remember: It’s the year of World Peace and Reconciliation! Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Big Banquet to be sponsored by The Hosea Williams Memorial Church of World Peace and Reconciliation Beginning in Clayco. Yes, SACS did come to Clayco because of a foolhardy and intemperate complaint filed by Rod Johnson, but he too can and should be forgiven for this foolish act. “All we are saying is ‘Give Peace a Chance.’” I love you, my Fellow Reprobates!

By Koz

January 14, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

How can someone consider Duke and GA State at the same time? Lets see if I score a 1600 on my SAT I’ll go to Duke but if I only manage to eek out a 900 I’ll go to GA State.

By WWJD

January 14, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

There is nothing wrong with Georgia State University. It is a quality institution with quality instructors and quality students. At least it’s more in tune with the African-American residents who live around it than Duke is with those who live around it.

By marc

January 14, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

Is this the same Rod Johnson who was talking about running for Clerk of the Superior Court? What a joke! Our legal papers in his hands!!!

Isn’t he the man who claimed that one of the teacher unions received $10,000,000 and then recanted the claim at the very next school board meeting? Where did he come from? Does he still work for Sheriff Victor Hill or did Victor Hill wise up to this man?

The students and teachers can thank Rod Johnson for SACS coming to town.

By alternatingprint

January 14, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

I like using bold print! Do you?

By Jessie McKnight

January 14, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

Rod Johnson is running for Clerk Of Court. PLEASE tell everyone you know that we don’t want our legal system in his hands. Rod Johnson NEEDS TO GO!

By Jessie McKnight

January 14, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

Rod Johnson is running for Clerk Of Court. PLEASE tell everyone you know that we don’t want our legal system in his hands. Rod Johnson NEEDS TO GO!

By Jessie McKnight

January 14, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

Rod Johnson is running for Clerk Of Court. PLEASE tell everyone you know that we don’t want our legal system in his hands. Rod Johnson NEEDS TO GO!

By Jessie McKnight

January 14, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

Rod Johnson is running for Clerk Of Court. PLEASE tell everyone you know that we don’t want our legal system in his hands. Rod Johnson NEEDS TO GO!

By Jessie McKnight

January 14, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

Rod Johnson is running for Clerk Of Court. PLEASE tell everyone you know that we don’t want our legal system in his hands. Rod Johnson NEEDS TO GO!

By Georgia Native

January 14, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

WWJD,

What do you mean by “in tune” with those residents who live around it? I’m African American and attended Duke through grad school. My nephew is also now currently enrolled there.

I have seen personally what Duke has done for that community. I do not believe that you are in a position nor have the background to be making such an irresponsible statement. The Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership is just one of many programs that has been a blessing for many in the area. Please educate yourself before casting such a remark in the future.

By Attn: Clayton Parents

January 14, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

Here’s are some facts parents and voters need to be aware of:

Rod Johnson worked as a chaplin in the Sheriff’s Dept. while serving on the board of ed. (In violation of policy)

Rod Johnson KNOWINGLY facilitated the hiring of an accused (now indicted) child molester.

Norreese Haynes EXPOSED his role in the hiring of the “bodyguard” and shortly thereafter, Johnson was no longer working in the Sheriff’s Dept. (perhaps Victor didn’t want the heat associated with Johnson over this)

Also Celeste Johnson, Rod’s wife has been ILLEGALLY double dipping from CCPS. Now that that has also been EXPOSED, the Johnsons at best will have to pay THOUSANDS back, at worst be criminally charged.

And THAT in a nutshell, is why SACS is SACS here. For no other reason than Rod Johnson being in a TOTAL snit that the “Johnson family gravy train” has been EXPOSED and cost them THOUSANDS of dollars a year (in ill gotten gains I might add)

And now the kicker: Rod is running for Clerk. He doesn’t care about YOUR children, because he’s been using the BOE as a “steppingstone” all along. He threw the ENTIRE system under the bus, hoping to draw attention away from his OWN misdeeds.

Since YOUR children’s future is at stake, you may want to ask the following about SACS: Why did Mark Elgart of SACS meet privately (secretly?) with Rod Johnson BEFORE the announced “investigation”?

Since Rod Johnson KNEW he had KNOWINGLY helped hire a child molester, and he KNEW an Open Records request CONFIRMED that Celeste Johnson was illegally double dipping, was there a “quid pro quo” between Elgart/SACS and Johnson to NOT investigate Johnson(and to do a “hatchet job” on common political opponents, students of Clayton be damned?)

If there wasn’t a “quid pro quo” between SACS and Johnson why on Earth would Johnson call SACS KNOWING a REAL investigation would bring all of this out in the open?

I’d say for every question SACS asks Clayton County, voters need to be asking the above question of Johnson AND SACS.

Something is rotten in Denmark. And it’s NOT “hotel cheesecake”

By Concerned parent

January 14, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

There are several board members who have a conflict of interest. Please…I know of three that have been in this paper. And, Yes, the students are the ones suffering during all this. The teachers are finding other systems whho appreciate their efforts. Experienced teachers are in demand. Every registered voter needs to educate himself and then vote. We can, together, make a change for the better. But, it will require education and an open mind for new people and new ideas. Also we need hard working experienced people stepping up to the plate to run for office. Do not wait for others

By Billy Gerkin

January 15, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Every time this discussion arises, I’m surprised how much time is spent on dicussing who threw whom under the bus.

There should never have been anything or anyone to be thrown under the bus. It just seems like people are trying to take blame away from the school board’s misdeeds. They are all guilty! Get rid of all of them at the next election: Rod, the sheriff, the BOE, whatever floats your boat.

Just please do your own homework before the next election.

By Andy

January 15, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

What part of “Garbage In, Garbage Out” do the residents of Clayton County not understand?

By Capt

January 15, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

Out of the mouths of babes….are you citizens of Clayton County paying attention?

By Capt

January 15, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

Let me get this straight WWJD…a student says that he wants to go to Ga State or Duke and you immediatly intereject race into the issue. WOW…how much you must love having that crutch to get you through life. Could this be the reason people ignore morons like you?

By Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon

January 15, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Come, Come, my fellow Fellow Reprobates (yes, the rev. does like using bold type), let’s give peace a chance. It is high time that our fare (and fair) county and lovely abode rise up and unite against the oppression of pontification. Willingham Boys, Clayco Thugs, Jordan Lintheads, and the Cabbagetown Diaspora must unite against snobbish oppression of East Paces Ferry, Northside Drive, and Lullwater Drive! Tara Boulevard is just as pretty as Peachtree Street. Besides, we have Lil Vic to take care of the thugs in the street, and you guys don’t. Ha. Students, be not ashamed because you are Children of the Piedmont and that your blood runs red. It’s a Clayco Thang; they wouldn’t understand. They’re still trying to get into Gridiron. WWJD, you ask what Jesus would do. He’d probably be hanging out in Clayco instead of Buckhead.

By Quota

January 15, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

One thing is for sure, if the student is black he will have a much easier time getting into Duke than if he is white.

By Larry

January 15, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

It is tragic that these students have to face this AGAIN!

There is legislation being considered that will prevent this from ever happening again. This legislation will allow for the creation of an independent panel to review complaints. This panel will also have the authority to impose meaningful sanctions against those that violate their oath. This legislation will not make the current situation go away. It will not act against any member of the board for alleged actions that have already taken place. It will however make sure it will never happen again.

Contact your legislators and let them know that you want this package passed so the children of Clayton County will never again be placed in harms way for the alleged actions of an elected member of the Board of Education.

By WTF

January 15, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Can we please get back on subject?

By justme

January 15, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

In tune.. why does everything have to be made about race, especially here in GA.. damn, the focus is not Duke or GA state.. the focus is on a school which may lose its accreditation. It doesn’t matter who called who, the schools in our country have taken a step for the worse, especially with this idiotic No Child Left Behind act.. thanks Bush, glad you’re leaving. Let’s get real, not all children learn the same,, some have many talents, but because they’re foreign or have special needs just get through the cracks.. We must demand more from our schools and our children, but at the same time provide adequate pay and proper upbringing..

By Mad Marc

January 15, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Yes, can something be done about protecting our children against the crazy actions of Ericka Davis and Rod Johnson? They should step down from the school board. They remind me of some of the board members on the Community School Board in Brooklyn.

By Louie

January 15, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

I bet that the Mark Elgart fellow never looks at the other school boards. He just uses Clayton County as a whipping child to keep the other school boards in line. That usually happens when a school board becomes black.

By Koz

January 15, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

I knew someone would eventually blame George Bush for the problem with Clayton County schools. I bet you blame him for everything. My lawn is too high, it’s Bush’s fault I can’t afford a lawnmower.

By Attn: Clayton Parents

January 15, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this

Re: “I bet that the Mark Elgart fellow never looks at the other school boards.”

Indeed. In fact Fulton parents complained repeatedly about their school board and got ZERO response.

Again, the question needs to be asked: Why did Elgart meet privately (secretly?) with Rod Johnson BEFORE Elgart announced his “investigation”.

What deal did Johnson and Elgart agree upon, so that they could do hatchet job, Clayton’s students be damned?

To the poster lamenting about the time spent worrying about “who threw who under the bus” yes, when the ENTIRE system has been thrown under he bus (by a guy who doesn’t give a rat’s a$$ about the BOE, because it’s only a stepping stone to higher office) Clayton parents and students have every right to know it was Rod Johnson so they can act accordingly.

As the poster ended his post “Do your homework”. EXACTLY. Do your homework on Rod Johnson. This board is a good Clif Notes version of what he’s done.

And notice no one has come on here to defend OR refute what has been posted.

By Attn: Clayton Parents

January 15, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

Re: “There are several board members who have a conflict of interest. Please…I know of three that have been in this paper.”

Yes this paper hasn’t hesitated in giving Rod Johnson a forum to spew his ignorance. And what did Rod Johnson say to get his fellow board member “in the paper”? Rod Johnson said the board member took a “ten MILLION dollar” bribe.

Please…

We don’t need SACS for that; we need Clayton’s finest to arrest Rod Johnson on suspicion of TWI-talking while ignorant.

If you’re really a “concerned parent” I’d suggest you educate yourself BEYOND what is reported in the AJC. This blog is a good place to start.

The problem is not “mulitple board members”. It’s ONE hoping to find people gullible enough to believe in fairy tales about evil board members who take “ten MILLION dollar” bribes, so he can deflect attention from his own dirty deeds. (Can anybody say “KNOWINGLY hiring an accused child sexual predator”?)

By WTF?

January 15, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this

This entire board is suspect. I’m sorry for any student that may be affected, especially the juniors. But I really believe the only way to fix this mess is for SACS to pull accreditation & wipe the slate clean.

Just checked Rod’s bio on the BOE website, no mention of him being Victor Hill’s lackie, err, chaplain. But it is interesting that (a) he teaches in the Atlanta public school system, instead of Clayton where “good” teachers are needed (assuming he is a good teacher) and (b) I have heard on more than one occassion that Rod Johnson’s children do not attend Clayton county schools.

I know right now Clayton’s schools have their problems. But I will bet money if his kid was in CCPS, he would not have been so quick to go to SACS.

Also, who in their right mind would elect Rod Johnson or anyone else serving on BOE as dogcatcher, must less clerk of the court???

By Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon

January 16, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Good morning, my Fellow Clayco Thugs and Reprobates! Ain’t it good to be living in Clayco? Just think that we could be suffering from Clayco Addiction while pining away our retirement years in one of the many Clayco Refugee Camps in Peachtree City, Pickens County (where the most Clayco Expatriates dwell quietly in their “sufferation”), or Pike County (the latest refugeee camp which is emerging, even taking in some Clayco Refugee who were dwelling temporarily in Henry County). The Remnant remains in our Beloved Homeland trying to rebuild the walls as Philistinic self-anoited and self-appointed leaders keep trying to tear down the walls of our Beloved School System. One of these “Philistines” is Larry O’Keefe whom the AJC loves to quote every time the Little Jersey Girl tries to elucidate on what is happening in Clayco. (She obviously hasn’t taken the Hatin’ On Clayton Seminar offered by AJC editorial writer Lyle Harris.) O’Keefe is ostensibly the main proponent of this “independent panel to review complaints” to which the above “Larry” alludes. If you actually think that any appointed body will be independent, then you are sorely lacking political discernment and need to take Jim Wooten’s seminar on The Willingham Abitity To Perceive Bull-Junk When Being Pandered. The appointed ones to this un-elected panel will be kiss-ups to the “majority” (the ever thin five to four majority) and will result in the “the tyranny of the majority” to which the Founding Fathers addressed. Dissent will be surreptitiously squelched, and the Un-elected Political Wannabes who publicly and regularly criticize the school board (David Barton, Mary Baker, Bob Hartley, and Larry O’Keefe) will serve as puppet henchmen for the majority on the board. The same thing happened on the Atlanta Board of Education (the place where our Supreme Micro-manager, Ericka Davis, no doubt got this totalitarian idea), and dissent has been effectively cut off. Now Atlanta has Head-Nodders on its school board — but at least the business community (along with the assistance of the AJC) can perpetrate the myth that the Atlanta Public School System is improving.

Yes, my Fellow Reprobates, Clayco does not fall for such Bull-Junk. I hope that our legislators don’t fall for this either. Apparently, Larry O’Keefe put pressure on school board member Eddie White who in turn asked fellow board member David Ashe to tote this proposal in a surprise move last Wednesday night at a called meeting. (The school board had already — two nights before at the regular-called meeting — agreed to discuss the issue in the regular February meeting. It is moves like this which Ericka Davis regularly engages in that breaks down trust on the school board. Ericka Davis is, quite frankly, a systematic conniving “leader” and control freak.) But, Larry O’Keefe must be having a good time being Ericka Davis’s waterboy. I hope his pony-tail gets more play on television. He’s probably smitten already by the siren call.

I just got a call from one of the Remnant. Members of the Remnant get together at least once per year with their Clayco-Brothers-In-Distress who are living in the aforementioned Refugee Camps for The Great American Squirrel Hunt. No doubt that there will be great discussion and rumination over the glory days of The Beloved County and the early hour breaking of Bacon & Eggs at Butch’s. Thomas Wolfe wrote You Can’t Go Homeward. Probably only one or two have read this tome. Life goes on in our Beloved County while the Inside and Outside Philistines keep attacking, and the Remnant, quietly and at night, keep re-building the walls.

By SHEIRLA

January 16, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

HEY REV… i FINALLY FINICHED WHAT Y OU WROTE. lONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. BUT I LIKED IT.. SEE U AT THE bIG BANQUET REV. WE LOVE YALL. SHEILA B.

By New Yorker Lovin' Clayco

January 16, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

Rev.: I liked this article. It breaks it down for those of us who did not grow up here. I love the rough and tumble of Clayco politics. Howerer,you will have to put up with false prophets like this O’ Keefe fellow. You always have these “wannabes” as you call them. I dont want my school board to be deafmute puppets which are afraid to questrion anything. Keep the writing going OK, Reverend Bourbon.

By Koz

January 16, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

Reverend, What type of Bourbon are you drinking?

By Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon

January 16, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Koz, Always Jim Beam, Little Buddy, but Jack when served by some of the brethren and sistern. “I’ve reached the Land of Corn and Wine…and all its riches freely mine…O Beulah Land, Sweet Land…” — my favorite Gospel song. Koz, I am and remain, Your Reprobate Reverend, Jimmy Jack. P.S. Give Peace a Chance!

By Pappy Boyington

January 16, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

Hey Rev,

Larry and Bob Hartley are drawing fire from the Clayco infantry hiding in the weeds a.k.a. “behind their keyboards”. They must be over target or close to it, huh? Where do the Rev’s interests lie? Seems to be the only one firing shots into the air about this.

Please also tell us you’re not one of the numerous “leaders” of this County holding a degree from a diploma mill or the “Ambassador for Peace” certificate. If not, you’re not “down with the times” in your own circle of collegues and its time to embelish the resume/CV. It only takes five minutes you know.

By WWJD

January 16, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

FEELINGS TOWARD DUKE UNIVERSITY BY AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULATION OF DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

By freefalling33

January 16, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

Its not just the Board of Education that parents need to be worried about. I have seen first hand the problems in the schools. The teachers can not teach with all the crap that is coming down from the BOE and every higher-up in the system. I have worked in the Clayton school system for the last two years. I am sick of the crap and will not be back for another year.

By Andy

January 16, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

When there are permanent probation officers in the MS and HS it’s the PARENTS fault more than it’s the school board/teachers fault.

Like I said: Garbage In, Garbage Out.

By Symone

January 16, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

I go to lovejoy high. its not a good school as far as the student go, and i must say the teachers as well. i wourk very very hard in school but i think the board is working as hard. I fault that all of this the board’s fault because i read the complaints and none of them had to do with the students. Clayton County needs to get it together…

By Run...Run Like the Wind

January 16, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

Clayton County better get it together. If you think schools are bad now, wait until the mortgage crisis is in full effect in addition to the ongoing accred. troubles. Forclosures and empty homes equals no school taxes paid. No school taxes paid equals less money for Clayton Schools. Add teachers leaving and others not willing to teach in Clayton? It paints a sorry picture and a school district with more behavioral problems and falling test scores.

By Attn: Clayton Parents

January 16, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this

Not since Martin Luther lead the Protestant Reformation has there been a clarion call as clear as the Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon’s against religious tyranny and oppression.

Finally a voice of reason arises from among the religious community to take on the Unholy Trinity of the “Rev.” Rod Johnson, Ericka Davis and Mark Elgart.

And like Martin Luther lead a reformation, so shall the Rev. Jimmy Jack; a school reformation, based on real not “pseudo” reform, based on a truth that is an immutable as the laws of physics: You cannot have good learning conditons until you have good teaching conditions and that MUST include support in matters of discipline.

The Unholy Trinity can’t acknowledge discipline because Rod and Ericka’s administrative overlords in GAE won’t let them.

To acknowledge discipline would be to acknowledge something is wrong. To acknowledge discipline in out of control is to acknowledge that control of the classroom must be put back in the teachers’ hands.

Worse to acknowledge discipline is out of control, not only might we have to put control back into the teachers’ hands, we might have to take it out of the educational establishment’s hands and give YOU THE VOTER some control. And if you think the overlords at GAE are apoplectic over that prospect, imagine how their overlords at NEA would react.

But until the day comes when we have REAL choice, the next best bet is to have order restored to the public schools and that means we MUST have discipline.

We KNOW (and shame on you if you don’t) who has been “front and center” on the school board in terms of discipline. And we KNOW who has taken on the status quo. (We would have had MILLIONS of more dollars in our pockets if we had voted them in sooner.)

And we KNOW who has pandered to the irresponsible parents (Erika Davis: We can’t remove chronically disruptive children from the classroom; were would they go?)

And we KNOW who has stood up for responsible parents (Norreese Haynes: All children can learn AND behave, so if they choose to be a thug, they need to go! The parents who parent, and the children who behave deserve better.)

Just like the masses finally rejected the Catholic Church for demonizing Galileo for EXPOSING the truth about the sun, ClayCo voters will reject Rod, Ericka and Elgart’s “inquisition” and reject the demonizing of Norreese Haynes for bringing the sunlight that is THE best disinfectant for the mold and stench the Unholy Trinity is trying to bring to ClayCo.

The more people are being educated OUTSIDE the dogma of the AJC, the more people are and recognizing the SACS “investigation” for what it is: A febble attempt to demonize those members of the board who EXPOSED the truth about the Unholy Trinity, so that the voters won’t recognize the REAL evil on the board.

Is “evil” too strong a term? Not for me, but then I readily admit I have not reached the lofty levels of grace and forgiveness that the Rev. Jimmy Jack has (perhaps if I were to fellowship with bourbon more often, I could indeed find that state of peace)

Since that day has not arrived, then I’ll defer to the reader and ask YOU if “evil” is too strong a term to describe the Unholy Trinity by asking the following as ClayCo Armageddon approaches:

Which faction of the board has been raked over the coals by the powers that be for ordering a piece of “hotel cheesecake” (at a hotel they WALKED to, to save the taxpayers money no less) and which faction of the board KNOWINGLY hired a child sexual predator as a bodyguard?

Now tell me evil is “too strong” of a word…

By In a handbasket

January 17, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

As a resident, I’ve read this blog and have never felt compelled to respond until now. Seeing what fellow Clayton residents have “written” here is depressing. Government and schools are no place for ghetto antics. Your children will live what they hear and see. Learn to spell, speak, and write proper English. Your kids, their teachers, and the community at large (eventually) will thank you.

As far as the school board snafu is concerned, until this county decides to elect some people with actual leadership experience (preferably those with an honest, vested interest in helping our children and community). A seat on the BOE should not be something to stroke one’s ego, or to feel like you’ve gotten comeuppance.

This county could be a really great place. It’s time to start looking for people who want to make it their job to put us on that path. Stop voting for people based on race, religious beliefs, Greek association, etc. If this county doesn’t care enough to elect people who care, no one else is going to care.

By Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon

January 17, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Good Morning, my Fellow Clayco Reprobates! What y’all want? What y’all want?

I appreciate the kind words of “Attn: Clayton Parents”. I consider myself as only a minor Clayco prophet (in the likeness of Haggai and Habakkuk), certainly not a big voice like Lee Howell who was run out of the Clayton News/Daily by Neely Young (now of the Georgia Trend) apparently because his prophetic voice in the 1980s and early 1990s was offending a few politicians (especially Republican Commissioner Nancy Estes). Estes was a conniving politician like current Board Chair Ericka Davis. No, Lee Howell was a major prophet in the likeness of Jeremiah and Isaiah.

Talking about Ericka Davis: She (and Larry O’Keefe, our new Hollywood Star) is pushing for this Un-elected Panel to sit in judgment on the Elected School Board. This sounds like some notion that Estes would have come up with. Ericka Davis wants a Baby SACS to be instatlled to sit in judgment and to be able to impose “sanctions” on an elected body. This is one very stupid notion, but the kind that I expect that simple-minded legislators (especially those led around by a hook in their nose by former state representative Gail Buckner). Hey, I thought that Gail and her hubby had moved to one of the Clayco Refugee camps in North Georgia. Perhaps Mr. Buckner is still dabbing in the banking business here in Clayco. Control Freaks in the Clayco Political World (Past and Present): l. Ericka Davis; 2. Gail Buckner; 3. Nancy Estes; 4. Linda Barrett; 5. Pam Glanton. Yeah, ole Prophet Lee Howell went on to serve in the Georgia House of Representative for a while. He would be having the time of his life slicing up the Baby SACS which Michael (Gail B.) Glanton is trying to push through the General Assembly. Glanton is the typical politician who is reacting to hysteria without first gathering the facts, waiting to see any “adjudication” (wow, the rev. uses this word loosely since SACS is also an un-elected accrediting agency among many from whom the schools and school systems can choose), and then let the voters use their own judgment to decide how they will deal with the issue, and the voters may just decide that they want to keep these board members. I think that this is what Ericka Davis and Rod Johnson fear. Rod said that he had to take care of his family (presumably his family’s income and wife Celeste’s double-dipping), and this is apparently why he did the “Most STUPID Move of the Year” by inviting SACS to Clayco and causing such confusion, angst, and hysteria — and, of course, taking some of the heat off of him for his organizational chart, his hiring of the now-indicted child molester to be head of security in the school system, his apparent collusion in the fraudulent contract of attorney Dorsey Hopson, his vote in the notorious land deal, and his failure, as Vice Chairman, to ensure that Intermim Gloria Duncan followed the statute on promoting his wife (the Nepotism Statute which Ericka Davis laboriously read to the audience when another board member had a spouse who was recently getting hired by the school system).

Yeah, we miss Lee Howell”s two fingers pecking away on the key boards at the Clayton News/Daily. In the last few years, it has been a steady diet of “You said something that hurt my feelings.” (I want young Kimberly Allen and her husband Stan to know that the rev. and his congregation appreciate their liking of Clayco. That means a lot to us. It really does.) The rev. is now into the Clayco Peace Movement. “If you’re going to Clayco, Georgia, don’t forget to put a flower in your hair..” I can hear State Representative Wade Starr singing that on a piano. Y’all didn’t know that he sounds like Stevie Wonder on a piano — very good voice and talent. It’s tidbits of info like that you won’t get anywhere except at The Hosea Williams Memorial Church of World Peace and Reconciliation Beginning in Clayco. I’m just sitting here in my purple El Dorado Cadillac in front of what used to be Janie Mae’s Cafe off of Whiteline, thinking about the old days in Clayco. I think that the best days of Clayco are in the future. I just want to serve my Clayco brethren and sistern. What y’all want? What y’all want? What y’all wnat the Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon to speak on? But, remember that I’m just a minor prophet. My prophetic voice is *”Nahoom.” This is a secret. Don’t tell everyone — especially that Supreme Clayco Hater on the editorial board. I love you, my Fellow Reprobates, *Rev. Jimmy Jack (Nahoom) Bourbon

By marc of NY

January 17, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

Keep’em comin’ rev. Keepem comin’. I love it!!! Reminds me of the NY tabloids. Very juicy!!!

By jeff of jonesbor0

January 17, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

Rev.Bourbon: Dont forget about Rod Johnson’s wife Double Dipping while she is working in the State house of Representatives. She still gets a salary from the schools. THIS IS CLASSIC DOUBLE—DIPPING!!!

By Ron

January 18, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

Reverend Bourbon: I read your blog each day, although We now live in the starr’s mill are of Faytte county. Is this a clayton refugee camp? I remember Lee Howell. He did indeed keep matters stirred up in Clyaton politics. We live here in Fayette but dont keep up with the politics much however we still think about and talk aabout Clayton county a lot.I think that we have that “clayco addiction” that you talk about. Reveerend, are there any cures for this that you can tell us about. One of your fans, Ron (& wife Jen)

By Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon

January 18, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Good Day, my Fellow Clayco Reprobates! What y’all want? What y’all want? Y’all want this peace-loving rev. to talk about the school board, the commish, the delegation, the hospital authority, the water authority, the civil service board, the ministers? What y’all want?

Y’all want me to talk about the school board going back to the early days (about 30 years ago) when Margaret Haynie was Chairperson of the school board. We could come on down the line with Lindy Krebs, Andrea (Shellnut) Callaway, O. W. Cowen, Dr. Abner Moore, Judy Taylor, Linda Barrett, Mike Barnes, Mark Armstrong, Nedra Ware, and Little Miss Princess Ericka Davis. The rev. could tell you a story or two or three about all of them. What y’all want? What about the superintendents. We could start with the last dynastic supe, Ernest Stroud, who was elected in 1970 and chose not to run again in the Spring of 1986 (Headline in the Clayton News/Daily on the Wednesday after Trotter [Dr. Evil Svenghali] blasted him [via a four-page letter which was given to the board members, audience, and was later promulgated throughout the county] in the Monday night board meeting two days before: “Stroud Not To Seek Re-election”). The rev. could take you down memory lane with Smokin’ Joe Lovin, Bullet Bob Livinston, Mean Joe Hairston, Cryin’ Dan Colwell, William (Poodle) Chavis, Queen Barbara Pulliam, and to the current occupant of the supe’s office. What y’all want?

Y’all want to know more about Eldrin Bell and his background? It’s pretty colorful. What about the other Top Commishes? Crandle Bray, Dal Turner, Charley Griswell? Legislative mules? Bill Lee, Terrell Starr, Jim West [only Mr. Starr in the current delegation would even know who this fellow is], Arch Gary, Frank Bailey, Jimmy Benefield [oops, Mr. Jordan of the current delegation defeated him in 2000], Clay Davis [does anyone remember him?], Mac Collins, Rudolph Johnson? Shall we continue?

Hey, I hear that Rod Johnson has unofficially started his campaign for Clerk of Superior Court by sending a mass email to the school system employees, encouraging them to contact the Clayco legislative delegation and tell them that they support Baby SACS. Hmm. Isn’t this even more micromanaging that Rod has been so guilty of? Just a thought.

By Dumb-masses

January 18, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon, I mean John Trotter, I mean Earl, I mean John Trotter, we know who you are. John Trotter. Listen up. Get a job, and I mean a real job. Stop living off of everyone’s fear that you instill. At some point you are going to have to realize that you are the one who keeps endorsing and supporting the blatant micromanagers on our board. You and only you can stop the stupidity. You and your wife’s failed attempts to be on the school board years ago should not be our punishment for years to come. Deal with it and move on you political wannabe.

By Judge Dread

January 18, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this

Trotter’s wife divorced him years ago.