RDR: More on Adair County Blues series
By - April 29, 2009 2:03 PM
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By Andrew W. Griffin
Red Dirt Report, editor
Posted: April 29, 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY -- It appears that things have settled down somewhat in Adair County following three installments of Red Dirt Report's Adair County Blues series as well as a report on comments from State Rep. John Auffet, D-Stilwell.
Adair County Board of Commissioner's Chairman Russell Turner told Red Dirt Report that the county-owned computer, that was infected with all sorts of pornography and other illegal materials, reported on in Adair County Blues Pt. 1, has been returned to the the Commissioner's office at the Adair County Courthouse. It was then put under lock and key by Adair County Sheriff Austin Young.
"It was pretty clear (Young) didn't want anything to do with it," Turner told Red Dirt Report.
Turner specifically said that the computer at the center of this case was returned to the Board of Commissioner's office this week by Assistant District Attorney Larry Langley. He told Turner that there is still an "active investigation" into the computer, which was riddled with pornography and other illegal material. Langley added that "the findings will never be disseminated to the public."
Turner said he told Langley to "'Just put it in writing, that's all I need.' He said he would do it."
Turner added he was confused as to why the computer was returned when they claim the investigation is ongoing.
"If they're not going to do nothing, they should tell us and drop it at that," he said.
Additionally, Red Dirt Report received a reply to an inquiry into a 2007 letter that the Oklahoma Department of Commerce sent to Cleon Harrell of Cookson Hills Community Action Foundation in Tahlequah. In it, Kathy McLaughlin, Director of Programs Citizen Empowerment Team Community Development, writes to Harrell regarding the employment of Karen Horn. Horn had been a board member with Cookson Hills and was the former Adair County employee who had worked at the computer in question. Horn is currently programs coordinator for Cookson Hills.
Wrote McLaughlin: "Hiring a former board member so shortly after her resignation from the board only serves to undermine the spirit of objectivity, transparency and shared governance."
Curious as to whether the Department of Commerce followed up on the letter to Harrell, Red Dirt Report requested comment from the Department of Commerce.
Spokesman for the department, Jason McCarty said in an email: “The letter Ms. McLaughlin sent was routine correspondence between the Department of Commerce and the community action agency. It is part of our standard operating procedure to monitor and follow up. In this case, our monitoring showed there was no need to take any further action.”
The letter further stated that there were concerns about the length of time the job was advertised and how many applicants were considered, since Horn was quickly placed in the position soon after her departure.
In the meantime, confidential sources have informed Red Dirt Report that the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector's office has been spending time in Adair County and may be conducting an investigation. Other information may be forthcoming.
Watch Red Dirt Report for updates on this developing story.
Copyright 2009 West Marie Media
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Comments:
Posted by: scoutgirl on Apr 29, 2009 @ 5:41 PM
Thank you for the follow-up
Posted by: cherokee county observer on Apr 29, 2009 @ 7:06 PM
Wouldn't that computer be considered a key piece of evidence? I never heard of turning over evidence ontacted the commissioners office today and they told me they haven't got any letter from Langley yet. Was what Langley told Turner just an attempt to stall some more? What ever happened to that Shannon Otteson? Did Jerry Moore tell her to shut up advising Turner like he did Jeff Jones? Jones resigned over differences of opinion or something like that was how he was quoted in the papers. Wasn't Jeff Jones and Sam Chandler both on that board that Karen Horn was on? I don't think Jones is on it any more. The department of commerce must be corrupt also if they don't follow up on wrongdoing. Oh yeah, they 'monitor' but I guess they don't care how corrupt they are. HOW DO YOU GET TO BE CHAIR OF THAT BOARD? I'D LIKE A HIGH PAYING JOB WITH THEM MYSELF!!!! Is this whole entire state corrupt? Or only these people tied together in these reports - chandler, horn, harrell, moore, langley etc? Moore will be another one-termer like Gray...another corrupt democrat!
Posted by: here's some truth for you on Apr 29, 2009 @ 9:10 PM
http://www.oscn.net/applications/ocisweb/GetCaseInformation.asp?submitted=true&viewtype=caseGeneral&casemasterID=18532&db=Adair Check that link out and click on the parts that say ' Document Available'. That Tracy Wyche O'Neal (Carrie Philpott's granddaughter in law) got sued by Bank of Commerce Asst. VP Dower Combs on Nov. 6, 2008 for owing $701.79 for OVERDRAFTS! What's wrong, doesn't Carrie pay her enough money so she's not writing hot checks????????? After all, they're FAMILY and her grandson even stated 'Carrie Philpott-my grandmother-is as honest as they come, and she will always do what she feels in her heart and conscience is best for the good people of Adair County'. And her buddy the judge is letting Tracy pay $200 a month and she didn't even have to start paying on it until Dec. 1, 2008. I wonder if she has paid it in full yet. $53 in court costs and $40 in service fees were added to it also. Thank you Andrew, for showing all of Adair county the information that is available on the wonderful world wide web! Great follow up!
Posted by: redscout on Apr 30, 2009 @ 9:24 AM
I am going to get on this as soon as I get information from thr person I am investigating telling me what to investigate and when I am to do my surprise visist and investigation. And we just write these letters so we can have letters that we have written to show that we are doing our job of writing letters when something happens that shouldn't happen happens. Oh, let's just drop all this and have a cup of joe.
Posted by: anonymous on May 1, 2009 @ 12:49 PM
This is why computer security is such a big issue. While the other 2 county commissioners have done nothing to safeguard against this terrorism, I have developed and implemented a plan for district 1. We have a zero tolerance for internet porn in our district, and it really has helped us fill those pot holes and fix bridges. This is the kind of leadership that has proven itself with our allies fighting against the axis of evil.
Posted by: The Four Horseman on May 1, 2009 @ 7:17 PM
I have to say that whoever is writing these things for Chandler is pretty witty, and you may cause a few to laugh now, but the people who have a clue to what is really going on will have the last laugh when we get to see Chandler go down for good. Too bad wit isn't the same as intelligence, if it were you may realize you are just a pawn in Chandler's game. Must make you feel proud. People with any intelligence realize your postings are a poor attempt to deflect attention from the crimes that have been committed in this county, but it won't work. The county's eyes are beginning to open, and your day of reckoning is quickly approaching...
Posted by: Atta Boy on May 1, 2009 @ 7:23 PM
Well said Four Horsemen, well said.
Posted by: private interviewer on May 2, 2009 @ 9:14 AM
It seems that anything goes, as far as peoples comments on this web page . Yet, mine was removed. Why? Is it biased, or one sided? This question is directed to Red Dirt reporter, Andrew Griffin.
Posted by: Okie Boy on May 2, 2009 @ 9:32 AM
It goes without saying, private interviewer. You were posing as someone you are not. Despite what people say, no one is posing as the commissioners. But, I am sure this paper would love for Sam to comment here for "himself", and not through a proxy.
Posted by: paper guy on May 2, 2009 @ 10:53 AM
Gary "Scoop" Jackson, I mean Private Interviewer, why do you feel like you must post things as other people on this site? Are you feeling jealous that this news series has a larger following than the Stilwell Democrat Journal? Do you and Sam feel like you have to get people back to reading the DJ so they stop talking about the Red Dirt Report? You had your chance to print the truth for the county, but you betrayed their trust by printing lies and you let the people down. You sold out to Chandler, and everyone knows you print what he wants you to print. Well, I guess if worst comes to worse, you could possibly start a new career posting zinging comments on blog sites. Good luck Gary, I have a feeling you will need it!
Posted by: Andrew W. Griffin on May 2, 2009 @ 9:38 PM
If anyone has a particular question for me or any of the stories I've written or am working on, please email me at reddirtreporter@gmail.com.
As for comments, there have been some inappropriate comments made. Let's try and be adults here.
Posted by: Simple Transplant on May 3, 2009 @ 8:57 AM
I wonder if any one has stepped back and taken a good look at this county. alot of its history has some pretty shady events and Commissioner's trying to lie and steel and trick the people of a county is no new thing. the truth of these people and their wrongdoings being flaunted to the public is the same as any other place in this country. But stop and think... If you were in their position, faced with the same challenges and given the same oppertunity to give in to the avarice in our hearts, could you resist. Power is the most addictive drug and the hardest to control. In all Honesty I would become drunk with power and I wonder how many of you would as well?
Posted by: Please don't run for office Simple Transplant on May 4, 2009 @ 12:18 AM
Simple Transplant - Since we now know that you are not strong enough to stand up and do the right thing, please do us all a favor and never run for public office in Adair County or anywhere else. We don't need weak people or people who knowingly do the wrong things to benefit themselves as our elected officials. You are very right in saying power is absolute evil if used incorrectly, everyone needs to remember the old adage, absolute power corrupts absolutely. This county has been in a stranglehold for a long time by a certain group of people who has had absolute power, Chandler is one of these people. This article is showing the people of Adair County what that group is capable of doing to try to hold on to their power if they think it is in jeopardy. Just because other counties may have bad leadership and are corrupt shouldn't give us some sort of comfort and cause us to think ours needs to continue to stay corrupt and that their is nothing wrong with corruption. Keep up the good work Andrew, this county needs cleaned up and your articles might just cause people to start holding our elected officials accountable. The people of Adair County deserve a better government than what we have had in the past.
Posted by: fed-up teacher on May 4, 2009 @ 11:31 AM
Andrew has done such a good job on checking on the county maybe he should look into the stilwell school board and their superintendent sure seems they are throwing around lots of money on this new coach more classrooms would go a lot farther than 20,000.00 worth of weights.
Posted by: anonymous on May 4, 2009 @ 3:31 PM
Fed up teacher, If you don't like it, just get another job. There will be an opening at the County Comm Office if you would like to run. I know I will be running again for my spot in my district, but there will be an opening in the other districts.
Posted by: Born & Raised Here on May 6, 2009 @ 8:51 PM
Did anybody beside me catch Russell on radio tonight? I heard part of it. It was good. It was leading, but thats what interviewers do. and yes, it was most of what we have all ready read on rDR. But it has an audience. and something about Elohem City. I dont know what that was about. Interesting. Andrew, update us on that. And Russell be careful. You are going in where angells fear to tread.
Posted by: anonymous on May 8, 2009 @ 10:12 PM
I thought Russell did a great job on the radio show. As far as where to find it, I downloaded it as a podcast on iTunes. Its free and really the easiest way. It is a must listen. For those who say negative things about Russell, you should listen to him, or for that matter speak to him. I dont know Russell well, but I have spoken to him on occasion, and I find him to educated and well spoken and very vocal about doing whats right. People say when they run for office that they "dont have an agenda". I for one believe that Russell does. And his agenda is to do whats right for EVERY citizen of Adair County and to clean this despicable mess that is responsible for governing our county. People, forget about the names, forget about who your "buddy" is, knock off the political bull, and open up your mind to the realization that there are people in power here who are definitely doing wrong and applaud and encourage someone who is standing up for US. WAKE UP!
Posted by: Born and Raised here on May 10, 2009 @ 4:32 PM
A long time ago a wise man told me that when people begin to except and make excuses for wrong doing, its only a matter of time until it gets out of hand. That is what has happened in Adair county. With the excepton of Russell and Haskel, most of our elected officials including our Cherokee councilers owe there jobs to Sam and the absentee ballot system him and Darrell Kates run. They may have started out as good people but they wanted the jobs so bad they sold out and probably told thereselves it was okay to pay somebody to get them absentee votes because they meant to do a good job when they got elected. Now they can't say anything if they want to. This thing wont be stopped from inside Adair county and maybe not from inside eastern Oklahoma.
Posted by: Darryl Cates on May 20, 2009 @ 6:59 AM
I don't know why you would want to gripe about the absentee ballot system. This is a legal way for folks to vote and it has become a scapegoat for folks who don't want to stand up and take any responsibility for losing elections on their merits, or rather lack of an election message. For the record, there are two blocks on an absentee ballot, and the voter can still vote for either party. I'm sure the republicans are not griping about the absentee ballots that were cast for their own party, just the ones cast for democrats. Let's get off the soap box here and talk about the real issue which is of course why some cows have spotted calves, and some have solid colored calves.
Posted by: Okie on May 20, 2009 @ 10:12 AM
"Daryl", if that is who you are, when absentee ballots exceed 50% of poll ballots, there is a problem. When a democrat consistently is the one receiving those votes, there is a problem. When money is paid to collect those votes, there is a problem. When people are approached at home and are encouraged to vote a particular way while voting at home, there is a problem. When goods are given to vote a particular way there is a problem. When deceased individuals vote with absentee ballots, we have a problem. When felons vote absentee, we have a problem. When we had more absentee ballots collected in Adair county than Muskogee County in the runoff election last fall, we have a problem. And when no one votes absentee when there are no local races being ran, we have a problem. And who do these individuals vote for? Democrats. So yes, there are HUGE problems with absentee voting here. A FRAUD is being perpetrated in Adair County. Why talk about calves when you can talk about building dams? Or, why some are punished for doing so and some slither off the hook. We would rather hear about that.
Posted by: Born and rased here on May 21, 2009 @ 7:38 PM
I doubt if that was Darrell Kates or Cates or whatever his name is. Sounds like woman to me. Anyway the Cates Chandler absentee system is simple. Canidate pays Cates so much for ever absentee ballot that he brings in with the canidates name on it and asks no questions about how the name got there. Canidate, like the three little monkies, saw nothing, heard nothing, spoke nothing so canidate has a clear consence or what passes for a clear consence in a politican. Canidate gets elected by absentee votes, Cates gets paid, and everbody is happy--at least for now. Hopefully that will change. Maybe Andrew neeeds to follow the next Adair County election on location. I bet there are a few people who would let him use the spare bedroom free of charge.
Posted by: Darryl Cates on May 29, 2009 @ 6:20 AM
Hey, Okie
What a funny name you have. Almost as bad as the boy named Sue. Anyway, the only problem with your theory is that it is all unproven. Your just upset because a Democrat got out and got the vote in, while the Republicans sat on their hands and cried about how hard the Dems worked the election.
Never the less, this all boils down to one issue......just one....... the voter still has the say in how they mark that ballot! So.... if Dems are voting democrat, what is the issue? You just mad because they voted the way they wanted to vote or what?
Posted by: michael roberts on May 29, 2009 @ 8:06 AM
HELLO' , I am looking for some comment.....I'm thinking about comming in off the road and running on democratic ticket for county commisioner in dist. 1 where I live, maybe with my experiance in heavy and petro-chemical construction, I could bring some good back to my district.. I'm not in to pollitics, just wanting to do some good for my community, like my great grandfather the late tom keeter, had done for this district years ago.....
Posted by: Okie on May 29, 2009 @ 9:24 AM
No its been proven. But darn the luck, the people who would do something about are the ones who are elected by this scam, I mean process. You speak as if I am a Republican apologist. I am not. I personally could care less what party is in office. I vote for the PERSON, not the PARTY. That my friend is TRUTH. I am a firm believer that county positions should be non-partisian for this simple reason. At the county level, there are no lawmakers. Partisian politics in local government leads to abuse of power. But you know that and take full advantage. And no, the voter doesnt have a say when a DEMOCRAT is standing in their house, coercing, enticing, influencing, politicing, paying etc. the way they vote. YOU would not be allowed to stand next to me, speak to me, etc. at a polling place while I vote because it is ILLEGAL. But you know all this, and you have no reason to admit it, so I understand. Of course you will hammer my "theory" of being untrue. You are not scared or intimidated. You are on the payroll. We all get it. You and your elected cohorts strut your stuff daily and flaunt the system. Its the same old song and dance. But, one day my friend, one day the music will stop. It may not be till judgement day, but one day you WILL answer. Good luck with that.
Posted by: Horn Victim on Feb 24, 2010 @ 10:40 PM
I just wanted to say I rather enjoy this "Nasty" talk about Ms. Horn.... I worked with her a while back and she is as crooked as they come. She will stab you in the back the first chance she gets.
