Ms.

Breeding:
It has come to my attention that throughout April and early May, Mayor Mitchell, Finance
Director Vineyard, and Director of Schools Britt held a series of meetings at all 21 of our schools
with nearly all school personnel. I understand attendance at these meetings was mandatory.
Certain School board members also attended. Commissioners who were candidates for office
were selectively invited to these meetings. I say selectively, because I know many Commission
candidates who were NOT invited. In fact, I am a member of the Education Committee and I was
not invited or even notified of these meetings. No 'open meeting' notice was posted for these
meetings.

The stated purpose of these meetings was to "educate" school personnel on the sales tax to be
voted on in the May 6 election. According to Britt and Commissioner French (who attended
many of the meetings), the subject matter ranged far beyond the sales tax and got into matters
such as the property tax rates, the county debt, and other hot political issues. Statements were
made saying that certain Commission candidates were wrong on their statement of the county's
total liabilities and other important matters. Of course those candidates were not invited, and
could not defend their statements.


After receiving a constituent complaint, I questioned Mr. Britt on this subject at the May 8
Education Committee meeting. His answers and and those of Commissioner Ron French seem to
contain admissions of the above facts which seem to be clear violations of a number of election
laws, including 2-19-134a, 2-19-202a, 2-19-204, 2-19-205, 2-19-206b, and 2-19-207a. A copy of
the official record of my questioning, and of these statutes, is attached.

I trust you will take prompt action to investigate the role of Mayor Mitchell, Mr. Vineyard, Mr.
Britt, and others, in these meetings, and pursue action to enforce these and any other laws that
may have been violated.
--
Jim Folts
Blount County Commissioner - District 7