Cabarrus Cheap Seats

Update: For the full summary of the “Juba Scandal” - click here.

Now that it’s the New Year, I can’t use “Politics In An Odd-Numbered Year”…so, I thought this might fit. Harold has been harping on the “scandal” that he and Coy Privette created for political gain. I have covered this so-called scandal in many posts over the past few months. Feel free to use the search engine at the top of page if you care to learn more about it. I know when you Google “Juba Scandal“, The View From the Cheap Seats comes up before some other sites.

Filling in the Blanks - Example 1

What is funny is when Harold Smith posts something on his site, it rarely has references or links to anything reputable, and is often missing some key information. This is information which he witholds on purpose; because the whole truth doesn’t support his argument. Here’s the latest example:

Below is Complaint filed against Commissioner Juba by an informed citizen. 

December 20, 2005; Cabarrus County Manager’s Office

Attention: John Day, 54 Church Street SE, Concord, NC 28025

Re: Ethics Complaint and Request for Investigation of Commissioner Joni Juba

Dear County Manager,

This letter constitutes a formal ethics complaint against Cabarrus County Commissioner Joni Juba, and a call for an investigation into whether Commissioner Juba violated general policy on ethics set by the NC County Commissioners, when she misrepresented the facts in an Independent Tribune guest editorial. And whether she tried to obstruct the bidding of the jail project by fully participating on the selection committee. Juba has already admitted to a conflict of interest. As a taxpayer and citizen, was she referring to the general statue 14-2347 Her participation in the contractor selection committee does however warrant an ethics violation.

Juba has also participated in nepotism. This complaint refers to Bob Carruth’s son being hired as an employee of Juba Aluminum only after she was elected as a Cabarrus County Commissioner. Commissioner Juba and Commissioner Carruth should have disclosed her affiliation with Carruth to the public when both Commissioners are involved in any governmental decision. Even, if there was not a financial interest. This situation prompts inappropriate influence.

Cabarrus County taxpayers money has been misused. Commissioner Juba has used for her own benefit, on duty, in uniforms, and in Cabarrus County vehicles, deputies from the Cabarrus County Sheriffs Department.

The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners should review this testimony, and other evidence to determine whether Commission Juba was obstructing the jail project and abusing her role as a Cabarrus County Commissioner.

The above allegations against Commissioner Juba are serious and warrant a proper investigation. I am willing to supply the necessary information.

I strongly urge you to authorize an outside council to properly investigate this complaint.

Sincerely,

Maria Ray

Some points to consider:

1. The “informed citizen” in this case is actually the wife of a recently terminated Juba Aluminum employee
2. Hiring a friend’s son does not constitute nepotism. Nepotism is when one hires another family member. Example: A Vice President hires his brother as a manager and then also hires his son as a manager. Some of the people tossing these allegations around are familiar with a situation like that
3. Often times, law enforcement will be hired as security while not on county time. At this time, they can still be in uniform. This is an important source of supplemental income for many police officers and their families. My understanding is that this may have been the case.
4. Joni Juba never admitted to a conflict of interest. She asked to be recused for one vote in order to avoid a fiscal conflict of interest
5. Joni Juba’s service on the selection committee was at the consensus of the Board of Commissioners; because of her familiarity with these types of construction projects

Now, re-read that letter and tell me how credible it seems now.

Filling in the Blanks - Example 2

December 28,2005: The Juba Scandal Exposed… 

There is now an eyewitness that overheard Commissioner Juba asking her Husband who she should recommend as Construction Manager for the new jail. This eyewitness is willing to make this public.

Commissioner Juba now says she does not have a “conflict of interest” in recommending Turner Construction for the Construction Manager for the new jail. Commissioner Juba even unashamely made the motion to approve the construction contract with Turner Construction.

Commissioner Juba had previously stated that she had a financial “conflict of interest” and recused herself from voting for Turner Construction as the construction manager for the new jail. Commissioner Juba is CEO of Juba Aluminum Company who is a subcontractor for Turner Construction on other projects. Commissioner Juba, appointed by Chairman Carpenter to serve on the construction manager selection committee, recommended Turner Construction to the Board. If she had an admitted “conflict of interest” in voting for Turner Construction as Construction Manager, Juba also had a “conflict of interest” in recommending Turner Construction to the Board of Commissioners and she certainly had a “conflict of interest” in making a motion to approve a construction contract with Turner Construction in Monday’s meeting

The “The Juba Scandal” is an arrogant abuse of power and influence.

The eyewitness also reported that Commissioner Juba uses deputy sheriffs for personal security at Juba Aluminum Company. Does Commissioner Juba pay for these services or is this another arrogant abuse of power and influence.

Harold Smith

“There is now an eyewitness that overheard Commissioner Juba asking her Husband who she should recommend as Construction Manager for the new jail. ” I don’t know if it’s true; but so what if it is? What Harold is saying is that after nearly 4 months of Harold spreading this trash around the Internet that someone is going to say something to the few who may care that he or she might have heard someone ask a question of someone else? That’s the best Harold can do? He’s even messy with mudslinging! No wonder the only election he can win is one that has been rigged! (Cabarrus Men’s Club)

Filling in the Blanks - Example 3

December 26, 2005: Â?The Juba Scandal - Arrogant Abuse of Power and Influence!Â? 

Commissioner Juba stops all pretense in MondayÂ?s CommissionersÂ? meeting (12-19-05). Juba made a motion to approve a construction contract with Turner Construction Company for the $60 million jail. The motion passed with Juba, Carpenter and Carruth voting for and Privette and Freeman voting against.

Commissioner Juba had previously stated that she had a financial Â?conflict of interestÂ? and recused herself from voting for Turner Construction as the construction manager for the new jail. Commissioner Juba is CEO of Juba Aluminum Company who is a subcontractor for Turner Construction on other projects. Commissioner Juba, appointed by Chairman Carpenter to serve on the construction manager selection committee, recommended Turner Construction to the Board. If she had an admitted Â?conflict of interestÂ? in voting for Turner Construction as Construction Manager, Juba also had a Â?conflict of interestÂ? in recommending Turner Construction to the Board of Commissioners and she certainly had a Â?conflict of interestÂ? in making a motion to approve a construction contract with Turner Construction in MondayÂ?s meeting - Thus Â?The Juba Scandal - Arrogant Abuse of Power and InfluenceÂ?.

Where is the public outrage for Commissioner JubaÂ?s arrogant abuse of power and influence?

Where is the investigative reporting of our local newspapers into Commissioner JubaÂ?s arrogant abuse of power and influence?

Stay tuned as we continue to investigate. The whole truth will be revealed!

Let me help out with revealing “The Whole Truth”. Honestly, It struck me as strange when I was at the meeting where Joni Juba voted on the contract with Turner Construction. It wasn’t so strange when two things were explained to me.

1. Turner had already been selected from three candidates in the vote that she did not participate in a few months ago. The motion presented on Monday was to accept terms and conditions of the contract.
2. Commissioners have a duty to vote. If one is a Commissioner than they can’t just decide not to vote - the Commissioner must request that the board relieve them of their duty to vote. I e-mailed Joni Juba early in this whole process with my own concerns, and she consulted with knowledgable authorities about when it would be appropriate and inappropriate to vote. The one vote where she asked to be recused was when the Board of Commissioners were selecting, between three of her clients, who would be the Construction Manager at the jail site.
3. Her behavior while serving on the committee was not one of someone trying to get a particular outcome. In her correspondance she stated that she felt that any contractors could do the job well, and each brought a different strength. She had recieved an e-mail from county staff stating that other members of the committee had selected Turner - she did not object. However, she had not once singled out Turner as a favorite.

As for being investigated by an appropriate party, while she was much more diplomatic, her attitude in an e-mail to me was clear - “Bring it on”

It appears to this outside observer that some of her employees are bringing real legal liabilities on themselves. I think by dealing with “inside information” they love to collect and post on the internet and spout off in public meeting that Mr. Smith and Mr. Privette may be the ones losing out when “The Juba Scandal” comes to completion.