Remember the brouhaha about Haywood County’s tax collector race? Paper candidate Mike Matthews (R) defeated incumbent pro David Francis (D). Matthews was unable to perform work Francis had been doing, and the county even had trouble bonding him due to missed tax payments in years past. It was decided at the time that Francis would have to stay on to help train Matthews, and Francis was gracefully amenable. Now, the county has decided to retain Francis indefinitely. Since the tax collector position is an elected one, he will carry the title of tax administrator. Both will take on a Mad Hatter’s array of positions to justify the addition to payroll. Francis said he had had another gig lined up when he was defeated in the election, but he is happy to stay. Matthews says it is nice to have somebody who knows what he’s doing just a phone call away. Matthews’ supporters are miffed that the election did not have the power to oust the alleged crony.