I suppose Tommy Tomlinson bears the responsibility for choosing to direct his readers to give to a DSS operation despite Mecklenburg County’s long track record of playing fast and loose with cash — DSS especially. So, wet noodle. But to me his tone is far too remorseful over the Giving Tree matter, as if he personally lost the $162,000 in question. What is missing is good old fashioned outrage.
I know if I had put my name on the line and asked for contributions to help kids and then found out something wonky had happened, someone would have to TASER my crazy ass to stop me from finding out what went wrong. But that’s me.
However, at a minimum the situation demands that some anger and disgust be directed at County Manager Harry Jones and DSS chief Mary Wilson. The Uptown crowd is uncomfortable with that, they don’t do anger. Too primitive and unsophisticated.
Instead, they prefer to work Parks Helms behind the scenes and come up with A Plan as Jones goes into damage control mode by tossing the auditor who missed the $33,000 “repayment” — restitution? — to the county out on her ear. So much less messy and painful, you see, while protecting the great wealth transfer engine that is the county’s DSS operation.
Bonus Observation: Hate to knock down those who think any ongoing investigation of what went on at DSS could claim Harry Jones. Won’t happen. Count the votes on the county commission.
