NEWS ALERT: BCC votes 3-2 to pay O'Bryan $50k Part-time

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Friday, November 30. 2012
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BY KELLI PEACOCK DUNN
News Editor

A Calhoun County Commissioner workshop and special meeting Thursday night to discuss Sonny O'Bryan's position turned into a bash Joe Wood, Jr. session.

By meeting's end, the board voted 3-2 to change O'Bryan's title from county administrator to public works director, while also retaining him as emergency management director and grants coordinator. The motion, made by Darrell McDougald, also included cutting O'Bryan back to 31 hours per week and setting his pay at $50,000 for his part-time work. Truman Grant and Lee Shelton voted with McDougald. Chairman Thomas Flowers and Lee Lee Brown voted against the motion.

The audience gasped as O'Bryan commended his own efforts, but criticized Joe Wood, Jr., the man hired nearly two and a half years ago as assistant county administrator. O'Bryan was expected to train Wood to assume the county administrator and grants coordinator post. When questioned by the board about whether or not he had trained Wood, he said, "There was no litmus test," and "I can't make Joe do anything he doesn't want to do." Other comments included, "I can lead a mule to water, but I can't make him drink."

Meanwhile, O'Bryan continued praising his own accomplishments and efforts, explaining how he was "self taught" in all that he had learned since being hired in 1991. "I'm sorry, Joe, I should have been a better teacher, but Joe needs to be a better student," he remarked.

McDougald acknowledged that Wood's style is much more people friendly than O'Bryan's brash nature, going so far as to say he has to go ahead of O'Bryan on road projects, meeting with residents to avoid O'Bryan offending them during the process. However, McDougald commended O'Bryan's method for getting things done.

As previously reported, O'Bryan retired in early 2011, six months after Wood was hired. O'Bryan returned to work 30 days after retiring, assumed his old position at $80,000 per year (plus full retirement), with the understanding he would be training Wood to take over the county administrator role and Angie Smith, the assistant emergency management director, to assume the director's post in that department.

Joe Wood, Jr. sat quietly and did not comment on O'Bryan's remarks about him.

The commission will meet Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. and discuss Joe Wood's position.

County commissioners can be reached at the following numbers:
Darrell McDougald 674-5921
Truman Grant 643-8510 or 674-4620
Lee Lee Brown 447-0189
Lee Shelton 447-4716
Thomas Flowers 643-6200

The County Record is obtaining a full tape of last night's meeting. Watch for a full story Monday on our website and in Wednesday's print edition.





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#1 Concerned Citizen on 11/30/12 at 10:34 AM [Reply]
If he is retired (O'Bryan)and the man hired (Wood)cant do the job sounds like we need to fire him (Wood) but don't rehire a man (O'Bryan)who is retired. This sounds more like a setup on the retirees side. Such as setting things up for failure before you leave so you can be set for a double pay day. Wake up! Really you are paying this man 2 salaries and the new one a salary. Are we rich! If so find me a job too!
At this point cut your losses and find someone other than the present two to do this job.
I am sure if publicized someone will be qualified. I learn a long time ago that if you leave the job and think no one else can do it but you ...you are wrong.. you will be replaced. The need is still there! Might not be as good and might be better.. try it and see!
#1.1 clean out the garbage on 11/30/12 at 03:58 PM [Reply]
You obviously don't know Mr.Joe Wood! He is a fine upstanding hard working man that can do any job handed to him! If the county loses him over all of this they will have lost a fine man. Those county commissioners need to open their eyes...if I had to guess Mr. O'Bryan has not even attempted to train Mr. Wood. Two sides to every story and obviously Mr. Wood has enough respect to not berate Mr. O'Bryan besides the fact that MR. O'Bryan it seems is his boss at current time. The county commissioners need to send Mr. O'Bryan on his way or I will be out door to door at next election to make sure every one of those commissioners are gone!
#2 Enough Already.... on 11/30/12 at 11:08 AM [Reply]
Part time > 31 hours week at $50,000 is really good. Most people in Calhoun County don't make that with a full-time job!! I know I would settle for it!!!!
#3 clean out the garbage!!!! on 11/30/12 at 11:48 AM [Reply]
I would like to say I have known Joe Wood Jr. for approximately 20 years and I have always known him to be a very intelligent hard working man. I am appalled at the comments made by Sonny O'Bryan about this man and I hope that every one of the county commissioners can see the true colors of Mr. Obryan! It seems to me that Mr. O'Bryan may be a little intimidated by Mr. Wood's work ethic and his ability to deal with people in a professional manner. If I were on the board I would make Mr. O'Bryan publically apologize for berating Mr. Wood and then tell him to hit the road!
#3.1 Concerned Citizen on 12/02/12 at 09:33 AM [Reply]
I just witnessed the most awesome act of forgiveness that I've seen in my 48 years on this earth. Joe Wood brought Sonny O'Bryan to church today. That shows you what Joe Wood is all about and the type of person he really is. Thanks to Joe for showing the rest of us today at RCC what forgiveness is all about. Also, thanks to Sonny for making that first step and attending church with Joe.
#4 Blountstown Native on 11/30/12 at 04:52 PM [Reply]
I no longer expect the media anywhere to remain neutral, but I would still note the tone here is, yes, less than neutral, and it seems like there is an agenda underlying it. It's your paper, do what you want with it, but it does color my view of your reporting.

And no, I have no view on the matter, I just come here on occasion to see what's happening in Blountstown.
#5 Thats not all on 11/30/12 at 05:00 PM [Reply]
Do not forget to add the $850.00 per month for use of his personal truck plus paying for all fuel he burns. I still have problems with the 100% accountability statement when paying fuel tickets. How can you tell if the gas nozzle is in his truck or boat motor tank or another vehicle? The county can purchase a new F150 or Silverado loaded off state contract for less than $18,000.00 and require him to get fuel at the county yard like he makes everyone else do. It would just have rubber floor mats. This would assure accountability. The county has $20,000.00 plus in this years budget for Sonnys travel alone. HMMMM
On second thought a part time employee is not entitled to benefits.
#5.1 Concerned Citizen on 12/01/12 at 10:49 PM [Reply]
He's not considered a part-time employee at 31 hours a week. That's why he has the 31 hours so he can continue to get the benefits of a full time employee. Wow! We have some slick folks in Calhoun County.
#6 Rhonda Sharpe on 11/30/12 at 08:56 PM [Reply]
Do the County Commissioners who voted for this wasteful position actually think they have the best interest of the taxpayers in mind? Did they do any salary comparisons of other comparable government positions in the state of Florida prior to this vote? I seriously question their wisdom and management skills if they did not and simply pulled numbers from thin air. Calhoun County has a long way to go become a financially progressive entity when they engage in "good ole boy" politics and retain self aggrandized employees.
#7 Edna Roberts on 12/01/12 at 07:09 AM [Reply]
I have seen the county do some slimy things and this has really took the cake. As much as Sonny Obryan has done for Calhoun County there shouldnt be any bad words about him. Especially from the new county commissioners who wants to come in and FIRE the person who has been thru all the ups and downs and seen all the goods and bad and who has spent long days and sleepless night doing his job. To the new county commissioners why dont you VOLUNTEER Your time and knowledge to the cause and have calhoun county running "RIGHT" And we can check back in and see how much you screwed up or see which friend or family member has a job. Mr Obryan has more knowledge about the county than probably any one else there. Sonny, I wish you would tell Calhoun county to shove it and let them do it all alone. The nerve some people have but they don't have the morals or the self respect of Sonny's generation. They don't make them like ya'll anymore Sonny I wish you the best luck in all you do and I hope you get time to spend with your family doing just as you want. You deserve it. To Calhoun county Really someone needs to get there crap together and look at it all because you dont bite the hand that feeds you.
#7.1 Concerned Citizen on 12/01/12 at 11:11 PM [Reply]
Yes, Sonny has done some good things for Calhoun County and no one denies that. However, does that give him the right to berate and belittle Mr. Wood publicly and tell lies about him? If Mr. O'Bryan is such an upstanding citizen, how could he do such a thing to someone of Mr. Wood's character? Mr. Wood's character was displayed Thursday night when he did not retaliate as he was being bashed for no reason by Mr. O'Bryan. When you have to belittle someone else to make yourself look better, that speaks volumes of your character. Personally, I don't know how Mr. O'Bryan can sleep at night after the way he treated a man that has done nothing but support and defend him. I am hurt for Mr. Wood that he has been subjected to this type of humiliation, but the good thing is, those who know Mr. Wood knows the truth.
#7.2 Peoples Voice on 12/03/12 at 08:04 AM [Reply]
Apparently you have not noticed that lately the voters have been changing most County Commissioners every 4 years. Sewell, Hall, Miller, Wyrick, Pickron,If the majority is satisfied and thinks everything is coming up roses why are they showing the opposite when they go to the polls? It just may be that we have some on the Board now that are willing to listen to the will of the people.
#8 Commissioners we are watching on 12/01/12 at 05:58 PM [Reply]
You are so right Sonny; you were self- taught with guidance from Whitfield. He taught you how to take from the citizens of this county. You have taken and tried to steal peoples land so you can pave “your” roads. This has been possible by having the motor graders take 3” every time they grade. People are tired of the county stealing and taking from them. Sonny needs to go to the house. You can give him 10 years and he will never teach Mr. Wood because he is scared and terrified that Mr. Wood will do a better job. My family has dealt with Mr. Wood on roads issues and professionalism and honesty are words he can identify with. You county commissioners were put into office to do what is right. You now have a chance to prove it to your people. Commissioners remember we are watching.
#9 Aggravated Voter on 12/02/12 at 10:54 PM [Reply]
Well, don't blame me. I voted for Jerry Guilford.
#10 Andrea McCrary on 12/03/12 at 10:37 AM [Reply]
I am so proud of my step-father and my 3 childrens’ grandfather, Mr. Sonny O’Bryan, and the work he has done for this community. What I am not proud of is the sheer lunacy which is taking place right now in the county commission. My name is Andrea Hagler McCrary. Many of you probably know me as Andrea Hagler, as my parents (Dalton Hagler and Linda Hagler O’Bryan) owned Hagler IGA Foodliner here in Blountstown for over 30 years. My dad passed away 8 years ago. This was a huge loss to lose my precious father; however, my children have never gone without a grandfather and Mr. Sonny O’Bryan has been a wonderful step-father to me as well as grandfather to my children. My mother has been married to Mr. Sonny O’Bryan for 17 years, and it was during these 17 years that I have seen the integrity of Mr. Sonny O’Bryan. I also know very well what kind of ethics Mr. Sonny O’Bryan practices because I am very involved (having lived three houses away from him for 8 years) in his daily life. I can tell you for a fact that he gets up at 5:00 or earlier every morning and works diligently for this community every day. I have been very impressed with his work ethic over the years, his honesty, and his integrity.

I have found this uproar about the retirement issue both ludicrous and preposterous. Retirement is a right none of us want taken away from us after 20 or 30 years of working in a position, and I would never want to take away retirement from any individual. Would we take the retirement away from someone in the military if they decide, after 20 years of service, to seek a civilian job? Are they no longer able to receive their retirement because they decide to work? Of course they are entitled to their retirement. I have also had many teachers who received retirement checks, but chose to go to work making a salary as well after retirement. They worked for this money, and I would certainly not take it away. To make a claim that Mr. Sonny O’Bryan has done something unethical by retiring and then going back to work would put so many in jeopardy of not receiving their retirement funds because this is standard practice; if you work for the years it takes to retire and you go back to work, you get to also receive the retirement. There are so many that choose to go back to work after retirement, and there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING UNETHICAL ABOUT RECEIVING RETIREMENT WHEN IT IS EARNED. And, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE THE ONES WHO VOTED FOR MR. O’BRYAN TO RETURN TO WORK AFTER RETIREMENT LEAVE because they knew how much he did for our county.

It seems the new commissioners do not understand that there are those out there who make a lot of noise when it comes to their agenda. This is what has happened as of recently. These individuals who make a lot of noise about their agenda and who want to see a man of integrity suffer do not represent the majority of the voters in this county. These noise-makers represent their own wishes, and many of them carry long-standing grudges for unknown reasons and like to see men of integrity be put in a bad light to try to make themselves look bigger. Again, these noise-makers do not represent the majority. They just make a lot of noise. There is a silent majority in Calhoun County. The silent majority in this county are the ones who don’t make a lot of noise. They silently support their candidates and government officials by intelligently looking at all the facts surrounding an issue. The silent majority in this county stands firmly behind Mr. Sonny O’Bryan and the many advances he has made for our community in the paving of roads, emergency management, and the many (many) other jobs he does for this county.

I am very proud of the decisions and hard work done by Mr. Sonny O’Bryan, and I hope that the county quickly understands the great loss they will have by acting on the wishes of only a few noise makers.

Respectfully,

Andrea Hagler McCrary Proud Calhoun County Resident who Supports Mr. Sonny O’Bryan, County Administrator
#11 altha2008 on 12/04/12 at 05:36 AM [Reply]
If 1 million dollars in grants for the county, he can get the grants, he deserves the pay.
If he cannot, he and the county commissioners that you idiots voted in needs to be voted out of office
#12 Concerned citizen on 12/04/12 at 11:57 PM [Reply]
I would like to say thank you to the new county commissioners for a job well done today. You listened to the majority of the tax payers and acted accordingly. This issue was not about firing Sonny O'Bryan, it was about saving the county money and listening to the voters. I hope the other two commissioners have learned from their mistakes or some more changes could be coming in two years. Good luck Joe Wood, You will do a great job.
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