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Embattled Pike County administrator Steve Marro.

Marro told to hit the road

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Thursday, February 11. 2010
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Pike County administrator Steve Marro has been ordered out of his office and placed on 'administrative leave' with pay for the remainder of his contact.

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#1 Kimmer on 02/11/10 at 09:12 PM
Thank you George!
#1.1 Bless you on 02/12/10 at 06:51 AM
my child.
#2 Anonymous on 02/11/10 at 10:42 PM
why in the world is he still getting pay, vacation, and insurance? The idiot. No wait, the ones who are giving this to him are the idiots.
#2.1 Anonymous on 02/12/10 at 06:54 AM
Probably because they only had reason to discipline him and not terminate. Termination would have resulted in a law suite and we really have a great record with those don't we!
#2.2 Danny Blount on 02/12/10 at 06:58 AM
I believe it's a contractual matter - of course, the county might could get out of the contract 'with cause'. But, I haven't seen the agreement, so I'm not sure of the 'with cause' clause.

Either way, it looks like we're done with the Marro chapter of Pike County. Who's our next victim? I hope it's someone from outside again, so we can make them pay the price for coming to Pike. Or, maybe we can select one of our own to criticize and humiliate this time around. It should be an interesting series of interviews. I hope all the cave people show up during the public portion so the candidates can get a real impression of the loud minority of imports to Pike County. That being said, I hope the long-time country folks who grew up and went to school here will continue to voice their concerns at the polls.
#2.2.1 Phase II on 02/12/10 at 09:07 AM
Someone from the outside like Wisconsin apple pickers? Today marks the Great Saint Valentine Massacre at Planning and Development. Have we learned our lesson? Dump Code Enforcement, Building inspections can handle it. Cut the fat out of county government.
#2.2.1.1 Danny Blount on 02/12/10 at 12:27 PM
I'm unfamiliar with the above referenced massacre, please elaborate if you're so inclined. I read a posting regarding it before, but have no idea what you're talking about. I like the sound of cutting fat, though, so you got my attention.

As a side note, I thought Wisconsin folks were Cheese Heads; where'd Apple Pickers come from...
#2.2.1.1.1 Research on 02/12/10 at 12:53 PM
Danny, today is the day Don Collins served on the Appeals Board to take down Wendell Becker and Sandra Dickerson for causing a hostile work environment in Building and Zoning, Febuary 14, 2008. Collin's board ruled in favor of Becker and Dickerson. Parrish Swift testified he heard someone in that office use the phrase "Dark Chocolate." That was suppose to be a nono word around Roosevelt Willis. Willis and Marro were charged with creating a hostile work environment. Becker and Mickle were charged later the next month with creating a hostile work environment, that was 673 days ago. The only three left standing are Parrish Swift, Roosevelt Willis and Sandra Danielson. Applepicker in Wisconsin, Code Enforcer.

A moment in rural Pike history.
#2.3 soggy bottom on 02/12/10 at 07:53 AM
I believe his contract called for one year severance pay if he was terminated.This is what happens when you are allowed to write your own contract.
#2.4 Common Sense Says on 02/13/10 at 08:04 PM
Perhaps one might only have to search the Hen House to see that the Foxes are still in it. Is it not a "Conflict of Interest" for one Commissioner to insert a piece of Business during a Special Called Session to protect "His" business from established County Ordinances that levy a fine if broken deeming it as operating under an Emergency Status as it relates to dealing with the County only to second the motion on his business and then the other commissioners not vote it down to keep from stirring waves with a fellow member of the board? Willis is not interested in the Good Citizens of this County and is only looking out for himself. I would rather see him and all who break the "No Truck" Ordinance pay the citation than to have to foot the bill for the Road Department to send a truck & Crew out to patch the same @!%$ Potholes 10 times a year. We are all suffering by the County Water Project damages to the Road that no one had the sense to require the Contractor to repair before signing off. The Trucks & Equipment destroyed miles of Roads and there are still ditches that were not reworked to provide adequate drainage that to this day are causing silt to block culvert pipes and wash out the road beds. We want progress but we did not have the foresight to require those bidding on County projects to be held responsible. By God let Willis operate by the book if he wants to be a Trucker and get those trucks to use "State" maintained roads. He and any who act in this type of behavior should be unseated. Folks, we think the crowd in Washington is bad, it's happening right here on the local level. Speak up or be content with "Business as Usual" but if you are content to stay silent then don't complain because you and the others like you are to blame for allowing it.
#3 goodbye & dont let the door... on 02/12/10 at 07:04 AM
a wise old woman once told me to never attempt to make myself look better by making others look worse... its a thing called integrity. something Mr. Marro lacks...
#4 Blackthorn on 02/12/10 at 07:28 AM
MESSAGE

non-classified OS Bravo
Mission Assigned 03/26/08
Mission Accomplished 02/11/10 with pride
Duration 672 days
Well done
Return to base for Phase II Assignment

Set Condition Zebra
Stow all loose gear
All hands standby for heavy roll as the ship is coming abaft
ETA unknown

Semper Paratus
"we never let go"
#5 Observer on 02/12/10 at 08:47 AM
Marro should have been allowed to work until his contract expires. Now the county will have the expense of an interim county manager on top of paying Marro. Where is the sense in that?
#5.1 Heads up on 02/12/10 at 10:30 AM
Do you mean to make more deals on the way out?
Give us a break, he can do no more harm to our "rural" county.
#5.2 Anonymous on 02/12/10 at 06:44 PM
the county did right by letting him go now. There is no telling what kind of damage he could do to the county if he stayed. He should be allowed to clean out his desk under supervision and not allowed back on county property.
#6 Kimmer on 02/12/10 at 11:19 AM
Just because the commissioners can't give him a bad reference does not mean the citizens of this county won't. I think that has already been proven.
#6.1 staff for shaft on 02/12/10 at 12:42 PM
Kimmer, my staff is on it. I got a e-mail from DeBary thanking us for our service to their citizens and city. They knew the results almost instantly.

"we never let go"

Comseck FM14e1 clear
#6.2 Danny Blount on 02/12/10 at 12:43 PM
Yeah, Kimmer, right on. We really called down there and show'd them what kinda folks we are; spreading the good word. With the kind of love we show each other, some of their council members may even want to relocate to downtown Zebulon. I'll bet DeBary will send us a thank you letter; keep checking for it in the mailbox, it's coming, I'm sure...

Typically, references don't even come into play until an offer is made. In this case, the references were of no use. Think about it. They found a better candidate. If Marro had been the stronger candidate, do you really think DeBary's council would have given merit to an unsolicited cold call versus a commissioner? I can't even believe someone would have to explain that. Besides, he ruined the interview himself - he didn't need our help.

Think about moving to the positive side of this - what things will we do to support the new county manager? Infighting and public humility don't seem to be working out to well for us; maybe it's time to try something different.
#6.2.1 never let go on 02/12/10 at 03:08 PM
Danny, never knock success. Ask yo man Marro if it worked. It was a positive move and saved DeBary from having to suffer through what Pike has done for 3 years. Best of all, it kept a snowbird off the sunny beach.
#6.2.1.1 Danny Blount on 02/14/10 at 01:41 PM
I am wondering what success of which you claim I may be knocking, please point it out to me. We did not save DeBary; DeBary did a good job interviewing and selecting the best candidate. Actually, the truth is, DeBary may have selected a 'worse' candidate, only time will tell.

Marro is not my man; but, Pike is my home. I'm not attempting to defend Marro. I am attempting to try and get the complainers to get involved and make it better - to stop waiting until after the election to bellyache. Get out there and do something about it to make it better. Run for office; or, pick a candidate and get behind them.
#6.2.2 e-mail from DeBary on 02/12/10 at 04:38 PM
No big letter Danny. Where you been, just a wonderful e-mail. Sloaw down Danny and smell the snow but do not eat the yellow snow.
#6.2.3 Concord Resident on 02/12/10 at 05:01 PM
We're open to suggestion, and willing to try something different. The board has proven they are not. What exactly do you suggest?
#6.2.3.1 Danny Blount on 02/14/10 at 01:47 PM
Someone made a post on the unemployment article - I piggybacked on that one for one thing that could be done different.

The truth is, there must be hundred's of ways to work together to find solutions; you just have to be willing to try. Also, there has to be some level of understanding that all the people will not be satisfied with those solutions.
#7 Head Shaker on 02/13/10 at 07:49 AM
Does a county with approximately 17,000 citizens really need a manager? Don't the bumbling members of the BoC do a terrific job of wasting county money, without the help of a high priced wastrel who has no respect or loyalty to those who pay his salary? In tough times like these why not go back to our roots and not have all the specialty boards, departments, panels, and other do nothing. cost-a-lot groups? A natural instinct is that more is better.... maybe true, but not in the case of this county's government.
#7.1 true on 02/13/10 at 11:31 AM
That is a good point. It is not required that we have a county manager. I guess they just want to make a little county big by having one.
#7.1.1 JC on 02/13/10 at 02:04 PM
The legislation was passed through the State making Pike County a County Manager form of Government. An Interim CM must be appointed within 4 weeks and advertising begin to hire a new one.
#7.1.1.1 JC Thank's to Walter on 02/16/10 at 05:26 PM
Walter is a professional, he does not delete or ban people from his site that oppose. JC Morrison you hitched your wagon to the SPLOST and the voters sent it belly up. You hitched your little red firetruck to Lt. Henderson at a cost of $18,000 + Chiefs car and it is going belly up. What will go belly up in November?
#8 Snake Bit on 02/13/10 at 12:59 PM
During a discussion yesterday with Pike's budget tech I understand we will now be saving $2,400 on Marro's gas guzzeling white whale. These funds should be spent wisely. I strongly recommended to Sean Townsend that the county go back issuing Snake Bit Kits for free to all visitors coming and going at Planning and Development. Even with snow on the ground the snake is there and sometimes disguised as a Snow Snake. Be careful out there.
#8.1 Anonymous on 02/13/10 at 11:11 PM
Now they have saved Marro's White Whale fees maybe the commissioners can pay their obligations to the citizen that had to hire a lawyer to keep Pike government honest. Jeannie Haddock if you need work there are farmers needing helpers to pull Kudzu vines.
#8.1.1 The Last Tycoon on 02/15/10 at 02:15 PM
Yeah, that is really the last slap in the face to Pike County. We have to pay the Carpetbaggers attorney fees to protect him on his departure to Hell. Rob would not have charged the county as much even with getting paid from Marro's side and the taxpayers side.
LESSON LEARNED
#9 Got a free one on 02/13/10 at 01:03 PM
Kimmer, I have a county issued Snake Bite Kit if you would like to have it. I do not go down there anymore. I will drop it off or you are welcome to come anytime and pick it up. Your Pal.
#9.1 Kimmer on 02/15/10 at 06:31 PM
Just drop it off. Let me know when your coming by "pal".
#10 never let go on 02/14/10 at 10:47 AM
Happy Valentine.
Could I please get two Bar-Q-Plates to go, heavy on the pork fat, One John Deere Tractor (no serial numbers) a GE Flat Screen Plasma TV, two Snake Bite Kits and redeem my One Free Night Card @ the Tin Building.

Phase II
#11 snakes? on 02/15/10 at 03:28 PM
Are there really snakes in the Planning and Development office? Something should be done to protect employees and visitors to that office. Isn't the 4-H Club located in the same building? I saw a movie where a seaman sneaked a snake on board a submarine and it was killing everybody.
#12 New Job for Marro on 02/16/10 at 07:05 AM
Marro has accepted a position with the Haitician's to Make It Happen and Move Haiti Forward. Noting that Haiti really needs good certified forklift operators at this time and he has his certification in order. The BOC stated that Marro once worked for Pike County.
#13 Packet Master $9.41 on 02/16/10 at 01:44 PM
FOUL !!!
No one let us know in advance he was applying outside the USA. Well Haiti has some beaches, sunshine and now Carpetbagger migration. How did he get a VISA?
#14 Language problem on 02/16/10 at 03:04 PM
As long as he worked for the BOC he never learned the language and the BOC never learned NuHaumpshireneas. Pray the Haiti peoples can pick up on NuHaumpshireneas language, if not they will not know what he means when he calls their leaders Son's of W.
#15 Another Quake on 02/16/10 at 04:27 PM
Haiti would be better off with another quake than a invasion of Snowbirds and Carpetbaggers. Those poor people have suffered enough already!
#16 Marro did not listen on 02/16/10 at 06:54 PM
The BOC told Marro to hit the road, not the boat. He never really understood in a rural Georgia county the difference between a road and a boat.
#17 Collins last kiss on 02/19/10 at 11:33 AM
Junior commissioner Don Collins just cannot let go of Marro. His PJR article really pours it on and will only add to Marro's reseme. Collins is upset that his letter of recommendation to the DeBary City Council was useless. Collins speaks of the greatness that Marro brought to Pike County but did not name a single one. Citizens of Pike should question Collins close ties to Flager and Valousia counties Florida. Maybe Collins will just tell us. Is he related to Marro? How?
#18 David Rawlins on 02/24/10 at 11:56 AM
I think Don is most likely senile.
#19 George on 05/18/10 at 07:56 PM
DeBary Florida weather report;
Wednesday May 19, 2010
High 90 degrees
Low 68
Sunrise 0641
Sunset 1940
Wind NW @ 4 mph
High Tide @ 0210
Low Tide @ 0840
Seas at # 2 calm
Use # 4 Sunscreen
Clam Bake lower end Flager Beach.
Free County Service.
Come and enjoy.

No weather report available for New York City.
#20 Apple Picker on 05/19/10 at 06:47 AM
I miss him already and he is not gone. He will continue to draw salary and benefits from PikeCo until June 1. I hope he applies for unemployment benefits. He deserves all he can get.
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