News-Record.com

The North Carolina Piedmont Triad's top go-to source for News
A service of the News & Record, Greensboro, North Carolina

Home

Thinking Out Loud

« A conversation with Sister President | Main | Is Triad mass transit trivial pursuit? »

This time it's personal

It's not too late for the Democrats who subjected county tax director Jenks Crayton to a state Department of Revenue investigation that revealed nothing to save face.

All they have to do is admit that the allegations are unfounded and that a highly credible, impartial third party has confirmed that.

But don't bet on it. Some of them, principally Skip Alston and Bruce Davis, seem intent on finding something, anything, to hang around Crayton's neck.

Maybe he kicks his dog. Maybe he doesn't floss after every meal.

This is becoming more and more clearly a personal vendetta that has plumbed new depths for a crew that we thought couldn't sink much lower.

This is where courage, leadership and independence on the part of other Democratic commissioners could make a difference. Carolyn Coleman and Paul Gibson, in particular, could do the right thing and vote against any continuing attempts to keep this destructive distraction alive.

Both seem capable of bucking the bluster of Alston. But will they?

Comments (8)

To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.

Mark said:

Allen, I reminded Mr. Gibson, Mr. Perkins, and Ms. Cashion of your very words last Friday evening in a rather extensive e-mail I sent to all of the Commissioners.

We will now very shortly whether we have true leaders on the Board of Commissioners or followers.

I believe the quote that was in an N&R editorial late last week referenced Mr. Gibson saying he was willing to let "cookies crumble where they may" or something close to that prior to the audit. Well, is everyone familiar with "that's the way the cookies crumble"?

Sue said:

Good for you, Allen, and well said. I won't even hassle you about the spelling thing (couldn't resist). This sad affair would be simply deplorable if we forgot that there's a human being at the other end of this power play by one or maybe two commissioners. It is unprofessional and inexcusable to treat another person this way -- to try him in the press and in public - - to smear his excellent reputation - - to not end this fiasco even in the face of facts.

I was disappointed; I'm working on outraged.

I encourage everyone to tell their commissioners how they feel.

Send email to all commissioners with this link:
sthomps1@co.guilford.nc.us

Send email to individual commissioners with links on this page:
http://www.co.guilford.nc.us/contact

We deserve more from the "leadership" in Guilford County than we are seeing now from the County Commissioners. And Jenks Crayton deserves *at the least* to be treated humanely, and at the minimum, he deserves an apology.

jerry reinhardt said:

I didn't buy into these specific accusations made regarding Mr. Crayton. I think they were politically motivated. I did notice a lot of other accusations posted to several N&R blogs that I haven't seen addressed. Having brought that up, I would hate to be under the public scrutiny that Jenks Crayton was under in recent weeks. Hopefully, there will be something positive to come from all of this.

Barbara Ann said:

I think a written apology and a public apology is in order just for starts.

I am sure Mr. Crayton has a competent lawyer who can sort out the rest.

Barbara Ann

Yvonne said:

The tactic used by Mr. Alston is old as the hills. Create a diversion, a smoke screen. Take the focus off Skip Alston and place it ANYWHERE else. It could have been anyone. In this case it was Mr. Crayton.

Why are the people who allowed Mr. Alston to push his agenda to the point of trying to destroy a man personally and professionally not turning the tables on him? When the citizens of Greensboro are all but screaming for an investigation into Mr. Alston's lack of accountability for missing taxpayers monies, why is he not the subject of a major investigation?

There are some dirty dealings all around and are not likely to be cleaned up until people become as ruthless about Alston as he was about Mr. Crayton.

I sincerely hope Mr. Crayton will start the ball rolling by demanding a full investigation and then suing the less than honorable Mr. Alston. No one could blame him.

jwg said:

Is Mr. Crayton entitled to reimbursement for his legal expenses?

Mark said:

JWG, I suggested reimbursement for legal expenses in a letter I sent last Friday. I don't believe Mr. Jenkins should have to pay to defend himself when the State Auditor clearly said there was no wrongdoing.

As a matter of fact my suggestion was that his legal bill be paid for out of the funds that were going to be used to send Bruce Davis and Paul Gibson to Hawaii.

Post a comment

Users who post comments to this blog tacitly agree to observe the News & Record Online Service Terms of Use and Content Submission Agreement. Comments which do not adhere to the terms of this agreement may be removed and the submitter may be banned from further participation. Please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page to report abuse of this feature.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Search

Channels
Font Size
Tools
Question, Comment or Suggestion? Please contact us.

News & Record and NRinteractive

200 E. Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27401 (336) 373-7000 (800) 553-6880
1813 N. Main Street, High Point, NC 27262 (336) 883-4422
203 E. Harris Place, Eden, NC 27288 (336) 627-1781
4213 S. Church Street, Burlington, NC 27215 (336) 449-7064

Copyright (C) 2008 News & Record and Landmark Communications, Inc.