Another Lamar County Planner Fired

[lamarrebel]

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061013/NEWS01/61013028

This makes three county planners under the current administration...Alana Abney, Marvin Strahan, and now Cory Long to get the axe. :smt102

[SoMissTV]

Sounds like the Lamar County B.O.S. could stand to learn how to govern a little better, or at least do a better job of hiring. I sure am glad I live in Forrest County, where I don't have to put up with the antics of those crazy Lamar Countians.

[Maggie-Doodle]

These planners MUST be stepping on toes...something is wrong when they go thru that many planners that often....just like HPD....most probably it is administration and not the planners who have the problem!

[Conveyor Belt]

maybe they could shoot over to hattiesburg and only work there a few months too!

[wilebill]

Kudos to Lamar County. They can fire 3 planners while Hattiesburg can't even fire one police chief.

[Conveyor Belt]

Kudos to Lamar County. They can fire 3 planners while Hattiesburg can't even fire one police chief.

C'mon, now, Hattiesburg can get rid of people left and right and make them quit, which limits the unemployment claims and lessens the cities unemployment insurance rates. Dupree's saving us money by keeping Wynn around to get rid of all those racist cops, didn't y'know?

I'm going to go wash my mind out with soap...

[carsalesguy]

Sounds like the Lamar County B.O.S. could stand to learn how to govern a little better, or at least do a better job of hiring. I sure am glad I live in Forrest County, where I don't have to put up with the antics of those crazy Lamar Countians.


hey hey now......i have lived in lamar county 99.5% of my lifetime......

[Tully Mars]

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061013/NEWS01/61013028

This makes three county planners under the current administration...Alana Abney, Marvin Strahan, and now Cory Long to get the axe. :smt102

All of this makes me more thankful that I no longer work in the public sector. I feel bad for Cory, he is a good planner with a long career still ahead of him. In local government it is not always about performance but more times than not it is about politics and staying in good graces with those who happen to have the political momentum at the time.

A local government planner is one of those positions that makes it difficult to always keep the elected officials happy. The planner is always in a position of making decisions that can often be contrary to the wishes and whims of the local officials. It really is a thin line to walk.

[lamarrebel]

I spoke with a supervisor today, whom I'll leave unnamed for these purposes. He told me the vote was 3-2 to terminate Mr Long, and termed the decision "politics". I do not believe I ever had the opportunity to meet or observe him, so I really cannot take a position on this termination. I do think Mr. Long probably didn't help his cause by going to the media stating that his job was in jeopardy before the fact -- this probably made his statement a self-fulfilling prophecy.

However, with a rapidly growing county like Lamar County, I do not like the instability that this "musical chair" situation is giving to the planning department. It makes me wonder if this is another example of the Oak Grove/rural split that too often rears its head in county politics and into board decisions

[noway]

Give me an example of what a planner (job related) decision he makes that would piss off a supervisor..

All I ever heard on all 3 planners that a supervisor didnt like them and they found 3 votes to can them...

[Tully Mars]

Give me an example of what a planner (job related) decision he makes that would piss off a supervisor..

All I ever heard on all 3 planners that a supervisor didnt like them and they found 3 votes to can them...

Recommending approval or disapproval of a subdivision or development that is being developed by either a political enemy or friend of the supervisor. In most cases, the final approval comes from the board but the planner can require a lot of "hoop jumping" before it ever gets on the agenda.

[izzy]

A planner might be opposed to urban sprawl and dangerous parking lots, something Lamar County already has in abundance. The businessman affected might be a friend of a supervisor.

A planner might suggest things be done professionally. A good-ole-boy system of government might refuse.

[LipsofanAngel]

A planner might be opposed to urban sprawl and dangerous parking lots, something Lamar County already has in abundance. The businessman affected might be a friend of a supervisor.

A planner might suggest things be done professionally. A good-ole-boy system of government might refuse.

dangerous parking lots?

[izzy]

Dangerous parking lots are too small without enough space for vehciles to safely back out, turn around, or in some cases even park inbetween other vehicles. Also, poor paving or asphalting or topping. Also, no logical flow of where people should turn in, turn out, turn around. Can a fire truck pull in if needed?

My own experience and observations is that Lamar County has way too many ill-planned parking lots. And that is just one small example of potential planning problems.

[izzy]

By the way, I'm not implying that something as seemingly trivial as a parking lot has anything to do with the Cory Long situation. I was just offering an example of how something might upset a powerful businessman with friends.

Give me an example of what a planner (job related) decision he makes that would piss off a supervisor..

All I ever heard on all 3 planners that a supervisor didnt like them and they found 3 votes to can them...

[Kitty]

I do think Mr. Long probably didn't help his cause by going to the media stating that his job was in jeopardy before the fact -- this probably made his statement a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Maybe his media statement was a preemptive strike toward good 'ol boy politicians. :smt102

[Maggie-Doodle]

I can see that if he pissed off some of the "BIG" name contractors/developers (ex. Pierce, as well as a few others) the b.o.s. may be gunning for him.

It is a shame they hire someone to do a job then fail to let him do it because of friendships. Maybe kickbacks are being threatened if the planner does not allow certain building developments to go on as planned by the developer.

[Hub a Bubba]

You can lay 99% of the blame for this planner being gone by the "good old boy" politics in the northern part of Lamar County. What I understand about this situation and by looking at the "NO" voting record of this supervisor, it seems to me that the wrong person is being fired. Oh well, next year the voters will get a shot at correcting this problem. A change here would be in the best interest of Lamar County.

[lamarrebel]

You can lay 99% of the blame for this planner being gone by the "good old boy" politics in the northern part of Lamar County. What I understand about this situation and by looking at the "NO" voting record of this supervisor, it seems to me that the wrong person is being fired. Oh well, next year the voters will get a shot at correcting this problem. A change here would be in the best interest of Lamar County.

That seems to be the consensus I'm getting with this situation as well. Last time 3 incumbent supervisors were defeated, one retired, and only Mike Backstrom was re-elected. I believe we will see similar spirited races in each of the races for Lamar County Board of Supervisors next year as well -- particulary in the Republican primaries, and in both the primary and general election in District 2, currently held by Jerry Lee.