On June 22, Goss called a meeting with Wilson in which he accused Wilson of reading his personal mail. He claimed this was a felony violation of state law. Wilson replied in a letter to Goss dated June 24 that the practice of reviewing commissioners’ mail had been going on for a long time and was intended to be sure correspondence was dealt with in a timely manner.
Wilson then requested a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) inquiry into the matter.
In a letter to Wilson’s attorney Michael Caldwell, which was also sent to County Attorney Jim Fortune, Spalding County Sheriff Dee Stewart and GBI Special Agent In Charge Rodney Wall, Ballard said the GBI considers Wilson’s alleged acts — if they could even be proven — as “fall(ing) short of a violation of Georgia law.”
Ballard said he agreed with that opinion.
Wilson said he is relieved that Ballard found no wrongdoing on his part.
“I am sorry that a misunderstanding on Chairman Goss’ part has occurred,” he said in a press release. “I intend to continue serving Spalding County and its citizens to the best of my ability as their county manager.”
Goss could not be reached for comment.
Spalding County Commissioner Dave Phillips was there when Goss asked Wilson to either face investigation by the GBI or resign.
“My involvement in this is strictly to keep things civil and try to find a common ground,” Phillips said.
He said the matter was a personal dispute between Wilson and Goss and had nothing to do with the board. He said he does not know what the next step will be but he assumes since Ballard and the GBI have cleared Wilson of all charges, it will be the end of the matter.
BOTTOM LINE>>> WHAT GOSS & PHILLIPS pulled off in this issue was not in accordance with established County Policies, Procedures or State Law. They should be held accountable for their Acts...
To Mr. Goss and Mr. Wilson: The letter from Rep. Yates in the paper yesterday was eloquent and thoughtful and absolutely correct. Mr. Wilson deserves an apology from Mr. Goss (but don't hold your breath, William). Gentlemen, it is way, way past time to grow up and work together for the betterment of this county. Yes, most communities of this size have these types of silly skirmishes and political shenanigans. That doesn't make it a good thing or acceptable as "just the way it is". We can do better.
Ms Noble--Thank You for having the intestinal fortitude to sign your name. I respect you for that.
Would you,Ms. Noble,describe to me,firsthand,what specific vitrolic action Mr. Goss has committed against you?
You have set yourself up as judge and jury with no accountability. I'm quite sure you prefer anonymity--that is the safest place for those that cannot backup their accusations.
If I am to believe what you have written-then you are omnipotent. You KNOW EVERYONE and have witnessed EVERYONE's actions. YOU ALONE know their hearts as well as their abilities.
Your opinions have yet to rise to the level of fact. It is ironic that you defend your anonymity to KEEP YOU from being VILIFIED by those who would grind their axes AGAINST YOU. This alone confirms what I have stated.
Paraphrasing scripture, You are nothing but a clanging cymbal. As long as you are anonymous in your writings,you have no credibility.
If you are truly a veteran, I do applaud your service for our country that gives us the freedom we are exercising. In the service you could not take the easy way out--don't do it now.
Ronnie, Why Dont You "rock" to another county if you do not like where you live???
You cannot naively believe that a person who states facts in an open forum does not get vilified in some way by those who would grind their axe against them. I don't choose to put myself or my family through that. Anonymous is what I prefer - at this particular moment - and anonymous is what I will remain. That in no way changes the validity of my comments.
As for the Futral family? I have actually "known" Walter Cliff myself for many, many years. I know several of his current and former family members and recognize and applaud his success as a former farmer in eastern Spalding County. Yes, he is entitled to his opinion. I simply stated that his OPINION had no basis in fact and that he does not, IN FACT have any idea how to run Spalding County OR how Mr. Wilson is, IN FACT doing an excellent job as the county's manager. Mr. Abbott, if Walter Cliff is a good friend of yours, then you are surely aware of the ties between him and Mr. Goss (fact, not opinion) and that one thing alone does bring his credibility in THIS matter into question. How is that attacking his character? If I had questions about peaches or something about running a tractor, I am quite sure I could go to Mr. Futral and get an authoritative and correct answer. But about the efficient operation of Spalding County? Nah, not so much.
If you are going to attack a citizen's character, have the intestinal fortitude to admit who you are. Otherwise YOU have NO credibility.
Mr. Goss, how does it feel to have your bluff called so publicly (this time)? You know what they say about karma, right? And your buddy, Walter Cliff? Saw his letter to the editor last week and oh, how I laughed!!! How noble that he jumped to do your bidding! What a pal! But oh, Eddie...when you get a buddy to do your dirty work, shouldn't that buddy have at least a little credibility? Shouldn't they have SOME idea that they know what they are talking about? Sadly, W.C. has neither of those things - at this point he probably needs to stick to running Ringgold's and stay out of things he knows nothing about.
Bottom line? He called your bluff Eddie... and he has the integrity, intelligence and backbone to do it EVERY TIME you try something like this. And he's got a lot of people there to back him up every step of the way. Think about that before you try your next bone-headed, transparent ploy. You have a good day.