You have all read about the county government terminating the director at the Hagood Mill and the public opposition to that decision. According to accounts in the Greenville News, Pickens Courier and WYFF4 the administration stated it was for cause, while the county council chairman cited low revenue at the mill. Click here.
The following week there was a county council meeting and about 120 citizens attended.
Public Input
At school board, county council and city council meetings, they have a public input sign-up sheet. Few ever go to these meetings, but when they do go, most want an opportunity to speak to their elected leaders and be heard.
Seeing lines slashed through all the slots beyond the 10th line was quite disappointing and the first time I’ve seen this at any meeting. Undemocratic.
I wrote my name down anyway, in the 11th slot as you can see. Like I said, about 120 were at the meeting. If the council didn’t purposely slash-out slots 11 and beyond, my bet is 20 to 25 would have signed up to speak.
I remember school board meetings where up to 200 attended. Our board always made and passed a motion to allow all to speak and did not cut their time down. We had 40 speak at one meeting, and more than 2 hours of public input. In the end, there was some public pressure from the audience and the council let all 12 of us speak.
My Speech:
Sitting down to write my speech, I started out with what I had below and then cut it down to the 3 minutes, which you can see and hear in the video.
Concerning what is going on with the Hagood Mill, the county councilmen have a responsibility to ask questions and take action.
Stick Up For Employee:
I know the county administration is tasked with hiring and terminating employees, but the councilmen have the responsibility to insure employees are treated fairly. That is part of their oversight responsibility.
One, they need to ask questions and investigate the situation to insure the employee was treated fairly by the administration.
Sometimes employees are treated unfairly. I saw this many times in the school district. An employee doesn’t agree with the overall approach, is not toeing the line or points out something that isn't quite right, and all of a sudden they are targeted by the administration with bogus write-ups, trying to make their job difficult so they just quit. Finally, the administration makes the employee walk the plank by saying, either resign or we will fire you for cause (with all this bogus stuff we have been putting in your file). Who does this employee turn to in order to get a fair evaluation or hearing? Most inside the administration will be with the powers that are trying to push the employee out. Those administrators who see it as unfair, are too afraid to speak up and end up on someone’s list above them.
Therefore, the only line of defense is the county council, particularly the councilman of the district where this is taking place. Without that, employees can be steamrolled by the administration.
The councilmen have the responsibility talk with the employee, others that know the situation, get the full story and if the employee was treated unfairly, stick up for that employee by pushing back against the administration.
For Cause:
Additionally, when an employer terminates an employee for cause, the employer is claiming a gross error in judgement or misconduct by the employee. That is different than firing someone for performance, like the employee didn’t do a good job or didn’t show up on time one day or didn’t meet revenue targets.
This area of the county is represented by Wes Hendricks, the Pickens representative. I urged him to take the lead on this. The administration fired the director of the Hagood Mill for cause — does he agree with the administration on this? If so, say it. If not, he should have been arguing publicly, to reinstate the employee.
I’ve talked to people who worked at the mill, there doesn’t seem to be any evidence of gross misconduct or severe errors in judgement by the employee. If their accounts are true, someone on the council needs to be sticking up for this employee. It is sad that has not happened.
First Amendment Right?
Are employees being ordered by the administration not to talk to their councilman? Are employees being pressured not to publicly express their frustrations with the direction of the tourism effort? If so, that is not right.
In determining a public employee's rights of free speech, it boils down to a balance between the interest of the employee, as a citizen, in commenting upon matters of public concern versus the interest of city, county or state as an employer, in promoting the efficiency of the public services it performs through its employees.
When an employee writes on Facebook about matters of only a personal interest (e.g., like being transferred from the water department to sewer department), he is speaking as an employee first and the city, council or state can say don’t do that. However, if an employee writes on Facebook he doesn’t like the direction the water and sewer department is taking, because that will harm the public, that employee’s speech is protected and the city, county or state cannot tell him to shut up. I believe when an employee is talking to his elected representative, who is tasked to serve ALL people in his district, and it is a private and not disruptive conversation, the city, county or state doesn’t have the right to tell the employee he cannot contact his elected representative.
Getting a written legal opinion would be helpful to nail this all down and I urged councilman Ensley Feemster to do this.
Co-mingling Funds?
There has been a lot of talk and speculation of co-mingling and transferring funds between tourist venues. Is that occurring? If so, is it legal, in violation of any budget rules, just inappropriate or 100% OK?
There are state laws that govern grant money and things like accommodations taxes, budget mandates for spending general fund money, and procedures for earmarking donations. The councilmen have a responsibility to learn all of that, and make sure funds are being handled and transferred around properly.
Hey, this is what council oversight looks like. The administration is not going to like it, but this is the responsibility of the council. By the way, one of the reason they separated donations from one account to three separate 501(c)(3)’s for the mill, museum and Liberty Auditorium was to insure private donations for each were not co-mingled.
Hagood Mill Singled Out?
Is Hagood Mill being singled out? I went to the show on Saturday at the Liberty Auditorium. I counted 57 people in the audience when the lights went down. The first row was reserved for guests and there were 8 seated there, so less than 50 paid at the gate. The capacity of the auditorium is about 650.
Councilmen need to ask, and I asked Chris Bowers because he is the most savvy when it comes to money, to ask for the financial statements and determine if the auditorium is bleeding red ink. If so, why isn’t that manager facing the same scrutiny?
Is This Really About The Money?
Chairman Cosnter was on WYFF4 saying the director lost his job. He was not happy about that, but it was about how the mill is losing money. The rest of the council needs to ask, is it really about the money or control?
In my opinion, Chairman Costner and the administration want to get control of the mill. I think they then looked at the financial statements, and thought, we’ll use this as the reason to get our people in there.
I do agree those on the 501(c)(3) board are not money managers. However, to fix this, all they have to do it add a couple savvy money managers to the board, so there is a balance of those who know the mill/ want to put its heritage and community forward, those who know how to raise donations/ revenue, plus a couple of good money managers. You have to blend those three things, and this works. But again, the driver is not the money in my opinion, so my simple suggestion would fall on deaf ears.
The county budget at the Hagood Mill is $106,000 and the mill is losing about $40,000 a year. That’s pocket change in terms of local government.
The school district spends $100,000 in 7 hours. That is less than one-tenth of one percent of annual county government spending. Plus the finance director said the county had $27 million cash on hand — they are swimming in funds.
Rather, I think it is about control and using the government to take it. Chairman Costner is a marketing person. Naturally, he is gravitating toward what he knows and is comfortable with. As a result tourism/ marketing has been elevated to a top tier priority (it was not before). I think he wants to take it over the next piece of the tourism puzzle (the mill) and shape it to his vision ($$$$). To that end, I think in his mind that means moving out those there now, and bringing in his people.
Is it true that Jay Pitts was a family friend of the Costner’s before he was hired as tourism director? Is it true Costner’s son now runs the Liberty Auditorium?
It was shocking to me Chairman Costner has MC-ed shows at the Liberty Auditorium, written a play that was performed there, and he starred in a show there. This would have been like a school board trustee, substitute teaching at a school. I am disappointed none of the councilmen have challenged his depth of involvement there. Again, this is what Pickens United is all about, go along/ get along.
Additional evidence to support my belief this is about control, was provided by Mr. Hosea (a local philanthropist). He penned a letter saying he approached the county administration to donate and lend a big helping hand, and he was ignored. (His letter is reprinted below.)
When a big donor comes in, he is going to see through that his donation to the mill is spent the way he wants, mainly to preserve the mountain heritage, empower the local volunteers and further the wants of the local community. I don’t think this home spun approach to marketing the mill is the direction the Chairman Costner and the administration wants to go in, though. I think you can see that in how they are running the Liberty Auditorium with its very commercial bent.
Capable Leaders?
This brings us to the next question, do the leaders have the tourism experience needed to successfully run the overall tourism effort? Also do they have experience in this county, know its culture, and what the people want?
Most above Highway 183 want grassroots tourism supported by local volunteers, with the purpose of preserving the mountain heritage, that community, and tradition.
For instance, they grind grits at the mill and sell them. The volunteers see the heritage in the 150 year old grinding process and their purpose is to preserve that heritage. Chairman Costner, the administration and much of the council see the dollars at the mill, and want to commercialize that, at the expense of the heritage aspect.
Gosh, I think some would put a casino up there if they could.
I made that clear in my speech by saying, Chairman Costner they don’t want your brand of slick modern-day/ anything-goes commercialism, wrapped around a Mill that goes back to their grandfather’s grandfather. Nor do they want to see locals pushed out, whose families have been up there 150 years.
Again, this is Wes Hendrick’s district and he has the responsibility to step up and tell the chairman, the lawyer, and the county administrator that is the wrong direction. He has to stand up for these people and do it publicly.
Communication vs Self Promotion:
Finally, what we are seeing is the difference between communication and self-promotion. When leaders communicate with the public, they talk about the positives and the negatives. They step up to clarify issues, and make sure questions are answered. They publicly defend those treated unfairly.
When leaders promote themselves, they talk about the positives only. When things go wrong and the conversation gets tough, they don’t engage the public, read statements by attorneys and pray the issue goes away.
When you run for county council, you say I’m a public leader. That means getting out front and not leading from the shadows or leading from behind.
Solutions:
I think you should keep a few things in mind. One, how about above Highway 183 the tourism effort stresses heritage, community and family. Below 183, you can focus on commercialism and maximizing dollars. But both have to be run efficiently, and not bleed red ink.
Two, when the IRS grants you a 501(c)(3) status that means you can raise money and those that donate can deduct the donation. You have to create by-laws, a governing body and a separate bank account. They created a 501(c)(3) at Hagood Mill. That did not give the 501(c)(3) board any governing authority over the mill. The county government owns the mill and the land below it. It is kind of like a PTA setup relative to a school. The PTA can raise money, control the money it raises and go to the principal and say, we’d like to buy you more playground equipment. The principal agrees, and it is done.
The reality is, the 501(c)(3) gathers some informal power through their relationship with the principal or the director of the mill.I don’t doubt this is losing money. To fix that, the board needs three ingredients: a faction that wants to preserve the heritage and put forward the mountain community in the effort, a faction that is skilled in soliciting donations and boosting revenue, a faction that knows how to manage money keep the effort on budget. If I was on the council now, I would be pushing for this simple fix.
To get formal governing authority the county council has to make the 501(c)(3) board an advisory board and give it some formal powers or more so, lease the mill to the Hagood 501(c)(3) to operate it. That is the setup the Pickens Senior Center. The city owns the old Hagood School, but leased it to the Pickens Seniors 501(c)(3). The Pickens Seniors board runs the center, but they do a ton of fund raising, selling meals and getting grants. I am guessing the city gives them some operations money because a couple of city councilmen sit on the Pickens Seniors board.
That’s another thing with the 501(c)(3)’s working with government, the more money they get from the government, the more control the government will want and the more they will want to stack that 501(c)(3) board with county representatives. If they county leases the mill to the Hagood 501(c)(3), and they continue to give the mill $100,000 a year, they are going to want 3 or 4 people on that board. If they give only $20,000, probably 1 or 2.
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Mr. Hosea's Letter:
Letter to the Editor:
In response to the recent dismissal of Hagood Mill Historic site director, Billy Crawford who was relieved of duty on May 2, 2019 by Pickens County government
My name is David Stowe Hosea. I am a 15 year resident of Pickens, S.C. I also have a home in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky in northern Kentucky. I am a 73 year old successful business man and was recently appointed to the Hagood Mill foundation board of directors. I currently serve on nine other board of directors. I run one of the most successful soup kitchens in America. I run the David Hosea Seeds of Hope foundation. I also run 14 other businesses within the United States. My company is one of the largest Industrial movers in the world.
In November I underwent heart surgery and barely survived. God has given me a lot to be thankful for so I have decided to give back to all the organizations I am involved with to the best of my abilities.Hagood Mill Historic Site and Folklife Centers is one of those organizations.I learned of the Hagood Mill Historic Site shortly after moving to the area from Barry and Billy Crawford. The following items are things I feel the public at large should know concerning my short stint serving as a member of the Hagood Mill board. Here is just a glimpse into the rest of the story in my dealings with Pickens County government and its administration. The following information comes from a business perspective.
1. At my first Hagood Mill board meeting Betty McDaniel and Billy Crawford gave updates about the new Heritage Pavilion which was under construction. They also discussed how the grant procured for the construction was nearly exhausted in funds. After one hour of discussing this and other needs at the Hagood Mill site I offered to give $25,000 towards the completion of a stage and back stage storage area and offered to have one of my construction crews complete the project at no cost to Pickens County. After the meeting tourism director, Jay Pitts approached me, and said “Hold on David, nothing gets done until I approve it through Roy or Gerald”. Roy Costner is the chairman of the Pickens County council and Gerald Wilson is the administrator of Pickens County. To this day I have never received a response from Jay, Gerald, or Roy.
2. We had a special called meeting about fund raising for Hagood Mill. I told the people in attendance that my wife and I previously ran a large wedding venue in Kentucky. We had sold the business 5 years prior and still had a brand new 100'ft x 250 ft wedding tent. I told the board I would loan it to Hagood Mill and they could use it to host weddings which could possibly bring in $3500 to $5000 per event. Jay Pitts once again told me he had to meet with Roy and Gerald before getting this offer approved. Three months have gone by and I still have not received a reply from any of these guys.
3. I proposed a naming rights campaign to sponsor some of the historic buildings around the Hagood Mill site. My suggestion was for an 18 inch sponsorship plaques to be placed on or near chosen structures. I told Jay I would pay $75,000 to have my name and my wife Marcias name added as sponsors of the historic 1845 grist mill which is located on site. I also made suggestions as to how the mill site could raise $250,ooo over the next four years. Again to date I have still received no response from Jay Pitts, Roy Costner or Gerald Wilson. Do you see a pattern here folks? These guys are nuts!
4. On a Saturday back in February Billy Crawford and I met at the mill site to take a tour around the property. During the tour many opportunities were discussed. One thing I noticed right away was the potential for new and improved hiking and nature trails around the Hagood Mill property. Later while speaking with Jay Pitts I offered to provide one of my construction crews to clear the land, build any required bridges, and make the trails more accessible for all to enjoy. Again no response from Jay, Roy or Gerald to date. This was an offer of free labor and material at no cost to the county and no strings attached.
5. My Seeds of Hope foundation raises nearly $95,000 each year during our annual Seeds of Hope fundraising dinner. I talked with Jay about doing a fall fundraiser similar to this at Hagood Mill. The response I received from Jay Pitts and Roy Costner was “There is no money in Pickens for such events” and yes that was the chairman of Pickens County councils reply on the subject.
6. Jay told me that he was heavily involved with councilman Costner’s son in Liberty at the new Performing Arts Center. I mentioned to him that I had just removed 3150 mahogany concert seats from the Cincinnati Symphony Concert Hall. I offered to donate them to the PCPAC. These were not junk seats folks, they had been completely restored at a cost of over $100,000. I never heard back from Jay, Roy or the administrator concerning this offer. But recently at a Pickens County council meeting chairman Costner requested $150,000 to purchase new seats for the PCPAC stating that the current seats were uncomfortable and folks would not come and sit at an event if they had to sit in uncomfortable seats. Don't believe me? Listen to the live recorded county council meeting held on April 29, 2019. I am unaware if this request was approved but I sure know my offer was not presented to the rest of county council.
7. Knowing the Crawford family and their respect for Cherokee and other Native American heritages I discussed with Billy and Barry Crawford and later with Jay Pitts about a proposed plan to recreate a Cherokee Indian village and possible Tepee campground at no cost to the county with a condition that the proceeds from rental fees would to go to the Hagood Mill Foundation. Again I have not received a response from the tourism director, the county administrator or the county council chairman. This feels like we are dealing with the dumb and dumber folks.
8. Chairman Roy Costner and the Pickens County finance director are constantly telling folks about all the money Hagood Mill loses. I told Jay Pitts to his face if this was the case I would pay all the bills at Hagood Mill on behalf of the Hagood Mill Foundation. That's right, I told him I would pay all the bills to preserve one of South Carolina's and Pickens County's most unique and special historic places. If you don't know Hagood Mill is the last remaining water powered grist mill which operates with a wooden water wheel. I also told him I would pay for all the upkeep of the historic grist mill as well. As you might expect by now I have not received a response from Jay Pitts, Roy Costner or Gerald Wilson. It is my opinion that none of these guys really care about Hagood Mill and its importance in preserving Appalachian culture and heritage.
9. I have attended thousands of county and state meetings throughout my years and I have never heard anyone talk down to or disrespect a person the way Chairman Costner did to Billy Crawford at a recent county council of the whole meeting with the Hagood Mill Foundation board of directors. Mr. Costner showed his true colors during that moment for all to see. It was a despicable display to say the least. I wonder if Mr. Costner had a say in the recent firing of Billy Crawford. If so, I surely know which way his vote went.I have never heard the words “cant” so many times. “Cant do this, cant do that” etc. What's going on in Pickens County? At every turn and with each valued suggestion the Hagood Mill Foundation and Mr. Crawford have been roadblocked by the incompetent powers that be, pure and simple. These are the same folks we have elected and appointed to run the county and to serve the wishes of the Pickens community at large.
Well Pickens County, you have run over David Hosea, Hagood Mill friends and family, and director Billy Crawford and his family one too many times.
I David Hosea am telling you the real deal. If Pickens County government can not or will not accept my charitable offers then my hard earned money will certainly spend elsewhere.Somethings got to give folks. This is why I had no choice in delivering this message. If anyone needed to be fired it should have been Pickens County Tourism Director, Jay Pitts, County Administrator, Gerald Wilson, and Pickens County Council Chairman, Roy Costner. These are the folks who have actually brought the dark clouds and negativity to Pickens County and Hagood Mill. Don’t let them destroy our heritage or tarnish the name of the Hagood Mill Historic site and the rest of Pickens County one second longer.I am a reasonable man and can play on anyone’s team. These clowns have beaten all that I have ever seen.
