Searcy & Booker Talk About County Treasurer Election
April 16th, 2012 by Joe BurgessCharlie Searcy and Michael Booker, both candidates for the job of Drew County Treasurer, took part in the Barkada Community forum, to discuss the upcoming election.
Both men complimented the other, during their presentations. However they disagree on their plans, if elected. Searcy said he plans to keep the Treasurer’s Office open, but use his current accounting office as a “remote office” to serve the county, adding that his accounting staff would also be an asset to the county, since he doesn’t plan to give up his existing business.
Booker plans to operate and work full-time out of the current office inside of the courthouse.
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As a taxpayer and voter, I hesitate to vote for someone running for a full time elected position and says he has a full time job already and will not be spending all of his time in the office. Elected officials receive full time pay and benefits and should work full time in their office like the rest of us full time employees. Just my opinion.
An elected official in a full time position, working at another job, in another building other than the courthouse. plus using ‘his’ staff……….is there something wrong with this? are we going to bill the county for the amount of time his staff works on county business?
Looks like both of the candidates have full time jobs. One owns his own accounting business. The other has two full time jobs: cattle ranching and department manager at Atwoods. So does Mr. Booker plan on selling his cattle ranch if elected? Most likely not. Neither should Mr. Searcy sell his business. I have visited with both men. Will have to carefully consider everything before making up my mind. Since one is a Democrat and the Other a Republican, this will not be decided until November.
It’s the ‘moving the Treasuer’s office from the courthouse’ that has me concerned.
Can Mr. Searcy move a county office from the courthouse without approval of the quorum court?
I was at this event, and yes, Mr. Booker stated he owned a business, but what he didn’t say that Mr. Searcy DID was that he would be tending to his other business instead of devoting his full attention to the office of Treasurer. Mr. Searcy out right admitted that it would be foolish for him to give up his business to be the Treasurer. He also said he would leave the office open but business would be conducted from his accounting office. Mr. Searcy stated that he was only required by law to be there one hour per year as an elected official, yet he stated he would be taking the full salary of Treasurer. That’s an awful expensive hour for us taxpayers to pay. Mr. Booker is willing to be a full time Treasurer, Mr. Searcy states that he isn’t. Sounds to me like the choice of who we need to elect to serve is clear.
I’m curious as to if Mr. Searcy can make the decision to move the Treasurers office, or does he have to get approval by the Judge or Quorum Court? Also, if he is not allowed to move the office, what are his plans?