By Disappointed in BC

January 19, 2011 11:46 AM | Link to this

All of these people previously worked for Carpenter, audited Carpenter, or worked for Fox. Talk about repaying favors… Clearly the victims are the taxpayers who are forced to fund this “Boss Hog” style public administration.

By Kristen

January 19, 2011 12:05 PM | Link to this

I’m sick of Don Dixon. He first wants everything put out to a bid then hires a consultant to do a salary study without a bid. He talks about making cuts then votes against cuts when it affects his friends (Jones and Piper). He jabbers like a money about “openness in government” then pulls this stunt.

By Sam

January 19, 2011 12:17 PM | Link to this

Anyone who has been in government as long as Don Dixon and Cindy Carpenter had to know that if they weren’t violating the open meetings law they were on very thin ice. At the least Dixon who has repeatedly called for more open and transparent government showed that he is a hypocrite and never to be trusted by anyone.

By Tim

January 19, 2011 12:26 PM | Link to this

Dixon and Carpenter we partially right, there does need to be a house cleaning in the commissioner office, but the trash that needs to be tossed is them.

By imaswitchin

January 19, 2011 12:37 PM | Link to this

Talk about Political payola. The trio of Dixon Carpenter and Fox are still trying to pay people for favors…wow, secret meetings…shows true values of the people involved

By Chris DeHaven

January 19, 2011 12:54 PM | Link to this

So can we trust them again? I think not….way to go Cindy, bringing in new blood by being just like the old blood. WOW!!

By Give Dixon Credit

January 19, 2011 12:54 PM | Link to this

fleb

By Give Dixon Credit

January 19, 2011 12:55 PM | Link to this

fleb

By Chris DeHaven

January 19, 2011 12:55 PM | Link to this

So can we trust them again? I think not….way to go Cindy, bringing in new blood by being just like the old blood. WOW!!

By GIVE DIXON CREDIT

January 19, 2011 12:59 PM | Link to this

If Dixon felt Carpenter was over the top in having heads roll her first day on the job, at least he had the courage to switch tracks and say NO I will not support this. Anybody who knows Cindy Carpenter would know Dixon has got to be a brave man to say NO to her !!!!!!

By GIVE DIXON CREDIT

January 19, 2011 1:01 PM | Link to this

If Dixon felt Carpenter was over the top in having heads roll her first day on the job, at least he had the courage to switch tracks and say NO I will not support this. Anybody who knows Cindy Carpenter would know Dixon has got to be a brave man to say NO to her !!!!!!

By Don't Understand

January 19, 2011 1:18 PM | Link to this

I do not understand the shock that two individuals who are (partially) responsible for this entire County would get together and discuss and brainstorm about what we need to move this County from the brink of bankruptcy! My question is SO WHAT?? What kind of Commissioners would they be if they had not had discussions?

By do nothing Furmon

January 19, 2011 1:37 PM | Link to this

Do nothing Furmon. Says nothing Furmon and the same Chuck Furmon who has never had an original idea in his entire career on the commission, sits there thru this and looks like an angel. He knows he can’t be critizied if he continues to follow this behavior. I will at least give Dixon and Carpenter credit for enough interest and concern for the county that they were talking about how they could possibly fix it - then in Butler County’s style those two get kicked around!!! What’s up with that???

By whatever

January 19, 2011 1:52 PM | Link to this

To “Don’t Understand” these kinds of “discussions” — meeting up behind closed doors and making plans to hire a bunch of cronies — are what have brought us to the point of bankruptcy. If you want good, qualified people, then you should say, “We need good, qualified people!” in a public meeting and then post the positions as the law dictates.

By whatever

January 19, 2011 3:32 PM | Link to this

And to “Do Nothing Furmon” it seems to me that he has done plenty. He called the FBI on Kay and tried to head off the sexual discrimination suits that just hit the paper a couple of weeks ago. Maybe that is why we need all these secret meetings, maybe if he finds out he’ll do something!

By Disgusted

January 19, 2011 4:14 PM | Link to this

I should have had difficulty believing the news that Dixon & Cindy (who had not even been sworn in as a new Commissioner) would meet in secret & hire new county employees to replace people who had no idea their jobs had been given away … … but I guess I should not have been naive enough to believe we could not expect these shenanigans from those two.

By Angie

January 19, 2011 4:44 PM | Link to this

It’s comical to watch these two commissioners throw each other under the bus. Dixon hosted all the meetings and Miss Cindy made the phone calls. Now they are trying to blame the other as the one who headed up this committee of two. Dixon is a nut case and should be a resident at the old folks home instead of the owner.

By Edward

January 19, 2011 9:03 PM | Link to this

If I was as sucessful as Don Dixon, I would tell you all to take this broken rat infested county and shove it

By Fed Up

January 19, 2011 9:11 PM | Link to this

Dixon obviously realized Carpenter had a screw loose and didn’t want to go down on her sinking ship. They absolutely were not brainstorming, they offered people positions. Positions at a higher rate than the people that currently hold them. People that were political and personal friends of Carpenter and Fox. This county will always be ran by Fox as long as Carpenter is in office. Dixon does have guts to back out, but now he will deal with the wrath of Carpenter. Everyone should be asking for an investigation. If she did this BEFORE she was commissioner, what did she do while she was Clerk of Courts? Eventually, people are not going to feel like they owe her any loyality and turn their back on her. She lost Wyrick the election. Maybe Dixon and Carpenter should be put into the nursing homes lock down unit and let Furman run the show. When you screw up and lose the trust of the people you “serve”, you don’t point fingers or run and hide, you get over yourself and admit you made a bad decision.

By Guy

January 19, 2011 9:32 PM | Link to this

Dixon made Jolivette look like a bumbling clown talking him in to supporting his crazy stunts and then hanging him out in the wind. Now he’s started the same with Carpenter. Hopefully Ms. Carpenter has learned never trust the crazy ill tempered old man.

By Stella

January 19, 2011 9:38 PM | Link to this

The problem with county government isn’t the hard working staff, it’s the clueless politicians. I can’t imagine working for bosses who have no idea what they are doing and going in ten directions at the same time. Trying to carry out these guys directions gives new meaning to the term “Herding Cats”.

By EEOC

January 19, 2011 9:43 PM | Link to this

I notice Don Dixon wasn’t hiring any women over fifty. At least we’ve found one thing he’s consistent on.

By null

January 19, 2011 9:50 PM | Link to this

I say we take the same approach on this duo as tabloids do on other “stars”s. Like Speidi and Brangelina, Butler County now has DIXONTER.

By Told ya so....

January 19, 2011 10:41 PM | Link to this

Why do people seem so shocked? You keep voting for the same clueless & unethical politicians. Cindy is only a puppet of Fox and Dixon is, well, a grumpy old man who has no idea what he’s doing. But again…the “intelligent” voters of Butler County asked for it! True insanity is doing the same thing over & over, but expecting a different result. Duh!

By Tired of it

January 20, 2011 7:43 AM | Link to this

This just disgusts me! Furmon is the only one who has any loyalty to his employees. How would they like to walk into work everyday and wonder is they have a job or how they will provide for their families. I think its time for the STATE Auditor and The State Ethics Committee to step in and look at whats been going on. How many other back door deals are out there? Sheriff and carpenter have been having dinners and lunches together…what kinda deal is next?

By Jack

January 20, 2011 10:09 AM | Link to this

I know for a fact Cindy Carpenter pledged our High Sheriff she would not hurt him on budget cuts. If the Commissioners would rein in the Sheriff’s budget all these people would not have to be layed off and in the unemployment line. This newspaper needs to do a story on what the Sheriff’s budget has incresed since Rick Jones took it over. It is shocking!! He has all four feet in the trough. oink oink!Cut backs in the Sheriff’s budget could balance the County’s deficit. But lets buy him some more tanks, helicopters and boats.

By Carl

January 20, 2011 11:21 AM | Link to this

Commissioners should set policy and provide direction to the professionals they have as department heads. The problem is Don Dixon wants to dictate even the smallest details and stick his nose into issues better handled by the department heads and senior staff. If he feels those people aren’t following his every little wish and demand then they are fired or pushed out. One needs only to count the number of department heads who have left the county since this ego maniac was appointed to the commission. He should resign and join is lady friend in retirement.

By Sue

January 20, 2011 11:31 AM | Link to this

I can’t believe Dixon and Carpenter had such high level meetings about county government without including King Richard and the Fox in the Jailhouse.

By wesley

January 20, 2011 12:19 PM | Link to this

For the good of the county and the Republican party, Dixon should resign now and join Betty in retirement. Enough of this nonsense. King Richard, Jailhouse Fox, Schemer Dixon and Carpenter have been pulling these stunts far too long. If the Republicans don’t clean their own house soon, the progressives will at the next election. Tea Party folks, are you paying attention?

By what change ?

January 20, 2011 1:14 PM | Link to this

there is not going to be real change, the next set of commissioners will not come from “we the people” but will be GOP insiders that will cut the deals of the powerful office holders and their big money backers. And guess what if they fail they will be cut (jolivette-“spending like drunken sailors” circa 2006) and you know who is next; Mr. Furmon, sorry but the GOP will bust your rear, you are just not holding up your end of the package with the back slapping good ole boy GOP’s. next we will see more Liberty Twp and West Chester Twp. puppets coming in to get their piece piece of the pie and feed from the proverbial trough. Want to make a bet ?

By Greg

January 20, 2011 2:26 PM | Link to this

Dixon is like a weather vane, pointing one direction one minute and the opposite direction a few minutes later. His latest last minute flip was the firing and hiring issue. A couple months ago it was the sales tax issue. From one day to the next know one seems to know where Mr. Dixon is at and it also seems Mr. Dixon doesn’t know either. The other two commissioners must feel like they are trying to nail Jell-O to the wall having to try and work with Mr. Flip Flop Dixon.

By Willie

January 20, 2011 2:36 PM | Link to this

Our county leaders must be seriously questioning how much trust and faith they can put in their compatriot Donald Dixon. Its clear Chuck Furmon lost all trust in Dixon years ago. Commissioner Jolivette tried to work with Dixon only to have Dixon not support his re-election. Then Sheriff Jones was left as they only one supporting the sales tax increase after first thinking he had Dixons support. Now Commissioner Carpenter has found that she can’t trust or depend on Dixon after he backed out on the restructuring of county government and blaming her for the idea. Then there is the county employees who work in the county government, you think any of them trust Dixon?

By pointing fingers

January 20, 2011 2:59 PM | Link to this

Carpenter found out that she can’t trust or depend on Dixon? Really? Dixon backed out because Carpenter took it too far. Dixon saved the day. Anyone who has ever worked for Carpenter knows SHE is not the one to trust. She will turn on whoever gets in her way. It’s amazing anyone would want to take the blame off her and put on Dixon. He was the good guy this time. Dixon had nothing to benefit by hiring Carpenters unqualified friend and Mike Fox associate. Who’s the bad guy here?

By pointing fingers

January 20, 2011 3:02 PM | Link to this

Carpenter found out that she can’t trust or depend on Dixon? Really? Dixon backed out because Carpenter took it too far. Dixon saved the day. Anyone who has ever worked for Carpenter knows SHE is not the one to trust. She will turn on whoever gets in her way. It’s amazing anyone would want to take the blame off her and put on Dixon. He was the good guy this time. Dixon had nothing to benefit by hiring Carpenters unqualified friend and Mike Fox associate. Who’s the bad guy here?

By pointing fingers

January 20, 2011 3:02 PM | Link to this

Carpenter found out that she can’t trust or depend on Dixon? Really? Dixon backed out because Carpenter took it too far. Dixon saved the day. Anyone who has ever worked for Carpenter knows SHE is not the one to trust. She will turn on whoever gets in her way. It’s amazing anyone would want to take the blame off her and put on Dixon. He was the good guy this time. Dixon had nothing to benefit by hiring Carpenters unqualified friend and Mike Fox associate. Who’s the bad guy here?

By joann list

January 20, 2011 3:21 PM | Link to this

Give some people an inch and they decide to take that mile. I’ve seen enough of what has taken place in Middletown and that is a part of Butler Co. makes you sick to see the current condition of decay. Also look at Hamilton lack of employement all around. Friends are not needed in these positions people with good sound ideas to stimulate the economy and get us moving again.

By joann list

January 20, 2011 3:22 PM | Link to this

Give some people an inch and they decide to take that mile. I’ve seen enough of what has taken place in Middletown and that is a part of Butler Co. makes you sick to see the current condition of decay. Also look at Hamilton lack of employement all around. Friends are not needed in these positions people with good sound ideas to stimulate the economy and get us moving again.

By joann list

January 20, 2011 3:22 PM | Link to this

Give some people an inch and they decide to take that mile. I’ve seen enough of what has taken place in Middletown and that is a part of Butler Co. makes you sick to see the current condition of decay. Also look at Hamilton lack of employement all around. Friends are not needed in these positions people with good sound ideas to stimulate the economy and get us moving again.

By Leo

January 20, 2011 4:04 PM | Link to this

There is one common thread in all the turnover and turmoil of the past three and a half years, Don Dixon. Blaming Carpenter is nonsense, where were the meetings held, who took the new hires to dinner? Don Dixon.

By Snowed

January 20, 2011 4:18 PM | Link to this

Trying to distance Carpenter from these shenanigans is laughable. Are we to believe that Carpenter is victim of circumstance? Please. This was planned, calculated and would have gone through had Dixon not backed out of it at the last minute. Also, Carpenter’s cronies and buddies were to benefit from this. If Carpenter wanted a “fresh, innovative” staff, these positions would have been posted to allow QUALIFIED applicants to be interviewed. These 5 people were handpicked without any say so from anyone besides Carpenter and Dixon. Carpenter supporters are being snowed.

By Reality

January 20, 2011 5:37 PM | Link to this

Anyone who thinks anybody can lead Cindy Carpenter (except Fox) anywhere (including Dixon) is not in touch with reality. Mike Fox and Cindy Carpenter hatched this whole idea. Cindy has been Fox’s puppet for years. I personally would like to thank Don Dixon for standing his ground with Cindy and telling her NO - if it is going to be done it will be done in an open meeting…Bet that was one ugly meeting!…Everyone knows you do not say no to the Queen!!! Way to go Don Dixon.

By Mike

January 21, 2011 8:38 AM | Link to this

Way to go Don. You and your supporters are throwing Carpenter under the bus. Thus, I doubt she’ll be working with you on anything else. Chuck Furmon never agrees with you. What does this mean, you are all by yourself, just one little vote. Do yourself and everyone a great favor, RESIGN NOW.

By Saturday Night Live

January 21, 2011 3:09 PM | Link to this

It’s so funny each of these commissioners blaming each other for this mess. Even more hilarious is their supporters/defenders jumping in to blame each other. Bottom-line is they both willing and stupidly jumped in to this cesspit on their own. At least it was Carpenters first screw up as a commissioner while Dixon has a long track record for such.

By Void

January 21, 2011 5:26 PM | Link to this

Carpenter threw herself under the proverbial bus when she intially and continues to engage in shady back room politics. She’s notorious for it, and anyone that knows her knows this. Sad thing is, she hasn’t been Commissioner for even three weeks. Like a soap opera, I’ll be staying tuned to watch more of the same implode in our one party system. Tune in next week kids!

By Void

January 21, 2011 5:39 PM | Link to this

*continued

By You are all naive

January 21, 2011 6:18 PM | Link to this

I think those who are commenting here are very naive. You who voted for Cindy voted for change, and elected her to solve problems in the county. How can you crucify her for trying to make changes early in her new role by meeting with Dixon. It is not a requirement for her to meet with both commissioners at one time, she is free to discuss items with neither one, either or both, outside of the office. Getting an early start on making changes and meeting before she was sworn in is in my view the sign of a good public servant. Lets not tear down our newly elected Commissioner before she has a chance to start making the changes that the voters asked her to do in the elections. All of the comments re: Fox et al, is just partisn politics. Kudos to Cindy to taking initiative, something rarely found in politicians these days. She has never let public opinion get in the way of doing what she thinks is right, and she should not start now.

By wj1957

January 21, 2011 11:52 PM | Link to this

PLEASE! I suspect the only reason the secret plot collapsed was because someone found out about it and told Dixon he better stop it. Dixon does not seem to be the type to do anything against his will. He’s been in that job long enough to know the rules. They met at his nursing home, he bought dinner for the new management team. They made job offers and wrote resolutions. I am NOT buying the spin. RESIGN!

By xyz

February 1, 2011 2:14 AM | Link to this

What you are seeing is just the tip of the iceburg. They already had people set up to take the positions of the three people they were promoting within and many other changes for their buddies to advance. Also, right after the news breaks Dixon’s girlfriend, head of the Board of Elections, suddenly has to resign to take care of her parents. Funny, since she never could be found at her workplace and was being paid a full retirement plus the $80,000 money. Bet that was part of how Furmon got some of his revenge. And to say that poor Cindy had to either pick Dixon or Furmon to work with is laughable. In business, they would all be fired. They were elected to fix a problem. Who cares what their personal problems are…they are to fix the budget and all be working for us, the voter. Instead, you get the same behind the scenes GOP politics. Remember,absolute power corrupts absolutely. If we had all Democrats, we would have the same problem. We need the checks and balance of a two party system but Butler County keeps voting the same people in. What has to happen for the voters to wise up and change what they are doing?