Jeff Eberhart for Coroner

[unionmom]

Here's a question: Other than the fact that I have an issue with Clark being the county coroner and having the county contract for EMS service, what make Eberhart a better candidate for the job? And vice versa - what makes Clark the better man? Everyone seems to think that both of these men are great guys, but who is going to do a better job for Paulding?

For me it comes down to wanting Clark to focus on the EMS service and leave the other to someone else. I do not like any one person or family holding too much control of anything here. It has proven to be too much of a problem in the past so I am ready to risk the change. And since I have not heard anything negative about Jeff and he does have experience at least in the death business that makes him an acceptable option for me. Nothing against Sam ... just time to loosen the grip a bit, so to speak.

 

[Foxmeister]

Here's a question: Other than the fact that I have an issue with Clark being the county coroner and having the county contract for EMS service, what make Eberhart a better candidate for the job? And vice versa - what makes Clark the better man? Everyone seems to think that both of these men are great guys, but who is going to do a better job for Paulding?

How difficult is it to determine if someone is dead? GD would just hold a mirror under their nose to see if it fogs up or not. LOL

 

[newsjunky]

I want to know if this system is broken? Has Sam failed to provide all of these services? how would Jeff go about providing the services this job demands. I remember someones motto in 2008 was all about change. His change is not working so I want to hear other reasons for voting against Sam and for Jeff.

 

[Winchester]

I want to know if this system is broken? Has Sam failed to provide all of these services? how would Jeff go about providing the services this job demands. I remember someones motto in 2008 was all about change. His change is not working so I want to hear other reasons for voting against Sam and for Jeff.

I agree. I have not heard of any issues with Sam Clark. Any criminal investigations usually go directly to the GBI anyway. What change can Eberhart bring or what can he do better? If there are problems with how Clark conducts business, then lets hear it. But to vote for change, solely for change is what got the US in the trouble we are in now.

 

[unionmom]

And just because the people weren't aware of it is what got so many counties around this area in so deep with the cronyism and problems that may never be found. There simply should not be one person with so much involvement, so much control over, so much responsibility. It's my personal opinion but there it is. When one man/family is getting so much tax payer money it is just begging for trouble. He has the EMS contract and just about lost the business because of, from what I understand, bad business decisions and/or management. Those are all reasons enough for me to put somebody new in the position. Sam may not be under investigation for anything, he may not have given us any known failures but I'm not aware of anything wrong with Jeff and he doesn't have the conflict that I see with Sam. Just an opinion ... a different way of viewing things. And quite honestly I find it offensive (and a cheap shot) to be lumped in with the dope and change group because of it. There are no base political differences here ... we're not talking about the D vs. R. And this county ABSOLUTELY has a history of gross cronyism and the good ole boy thing that makes many of us very suspicious of anyone with his/her hand in the pot too many times.

 

[ShoeDiva]

And just because the people weren't aware of it is what got so many counties around this area in so deep with the cronyism and problems that may never be found. There simply should not be one person with so much involvement, so much control over, so much responsibility. It's my personal opinion but there it is. When one man/family is getting so much tax payer money it is just begging for trouble. He has the EMS contract and just about lost the business because of, from what I understand, bad business decisions and/or management. Those are all reasons enough for me to put somebody new in the position. Sam may not be under investigation for anything, he may not have given us any known failures but I'm not aware of anything wrong with Jeff and he doesn't have the conflict that I see with Sam. Just an opinion ... a different way of viewing things. And quite honestly I find it offensive (and a cheap shot) to be lumped in with the dope and change group because of it. There are no base political differences here ... we're not talking about the D vs. R. And this county ABSOLUTELY has a history of gross cronyism and the good ole boy thing that makes many of us very suspicious of anyone with his/her hand in the pot too many times.

I agree with you.
Unless an ME winds up on the ballot. I am going with Jeff. Same reasons as you.

 

[mei lan]

A county this size needs a medical examiner not the set up we have now.

How do you believe that would improve the set up? (I really don't mean that snarky. I'm really asking.)

Because they are trained in the medical field and have a degree in the areas of forensic medicine. That is needed to work crime scenes I believe. I think they have to call in someone from Atlanta to do that now. Please correct me me I am wrong.

Kinda like we have to call in the GSP to investigate traffic accidents? Just why is that, btw? I've never understood that.

 

[newsjunky]

And just because the people weren't aware of it is what got so many counties around this area in so deep with the cronyism and problems that may never be found. There simply should not be one person with so much involvement, so much control over, so much responsibility. It's my personal opinion but there it is. When one man/family is getting so much tax payer money it is just begging for trouble. He has the EMS contract and just about lost the business because of, from what I understand, bad business decisions and/or management. Those are all reasons enough for me to put somebody new in the position. Sam may not be under investigation for anything, he may not have given us any known failures but I'm not aware of anything wrong with Jeff and he doesn't have the conflict that I see with Sam. Just an opinion ... a different way of viewing things. And quite honestly I find it offensive (and a cheap shot) to be lumped in with the dope and change group because of it. There are no base political differences here ... we're not talking about the D vs. R. And this county ABSOLUTELY has a history of gross cronyism and the good ole boy thing that makes many of us very suspicious of anyone with his/her hand in the pot too many times.

You are entitled to your opinion and so am I. You can accuse me of taking a cheap shot if you like but truth is truth. Just to have a change is not a good reason to show someone the door. I will most likely be voting for Sam again and you can vote for your change. We will both be doing what we feel is right. I won't stoop to calling that vote for change a cheap shot by you either.

 

[ShoeDiva]

And just because the people weren't aware of it is what got so many counties around this area in so deep with the cronyism and problems that may never be found. There simply should not be one person with so much involvement, so much control over, so much responsibility. It's my personal opinion but there it is. When one man/family is getting so much tax payer money it is just begging for trouble. He has the EMS contract and just about lost the business because of, from what I understand, bad business decisions and/or management. Those are all reasons enough for me to put somebody new in the position. Sam may not be under investigation for anything, he may not have given us any known failures but I'm not aware of anything wrong with Jeff and he doesn't have the conflict that I see with Sam. Just an opinion ... a different way of viewing things. And quite honestly I find it offensive (and a cheap shot) to be lumped in with the dope and change group because of it. There are no base political differences here ... we're not talking about the D vs. R. And this county ABSOLUTELY has a history of gross cronyism and the good ole boy thing that makes many of us very suspicious of anyone with his/her hand in the pot too many times.

You are entitled to your opinion and so am I. You can accuse me of taking a cheap shot if you like but truth is truth. Just to have a change is not a good reason to show someone the door. I will most likely be voting for Sam again and you can vote for your change. We will both be doing what we feel is right. I won't stoop to calling that vote for change a cheap shot by you either.

NJ why are you going to vote for Sam? I know I am voting for someone different, because with all qualifications equal, and both owning funeral homes, I am going to go with the one that does not also have the ambulance service. Like UM stated it is a lot of one hand in the pot. (no matter if there is nothing going on or not, the appearance is there and I do not like that one person gets to do everything.) I also do not like the fact that payroll has not been made more than once and even though the people I know that were not paid still loved and adored Sam, it impacted them financially. Times are tough. I know that, but it does not change that it happened.

We need to play nice and asking someone why they are voting for change (just for change) when that is what got the US in trouble really did come off as a not so nice jab when you are aware how we all feel about that change. JMO :dunno This is not like that. I do think we will all be okay if either one wins (I do not see either as bad) and Sam probably will. He is beloved by many and I do believe that will win him the election.

 

[Foxmeister]

A county this size needs a medical examiner not the set up we have now.

How do you believe that would improve the set up? (I really don't mean that snarky. I'm really asking.)

Because they are trained in the medical field and have a degree in the areas of forensic medicine. That is needed to work crime scenes I believe. I think they have to call in someone from Atlanta to do that now. Please correct me me I am wrong.

Kinda like we have to call in the GSP to investigate traffic accidents? Just why is that, btw? I've never understood that.

I had heard back when Harris was sheriff, he didn't want his deputies writing tickets because it would cost him votes. When you investigate a traffic accident, one driver is going to be at fault, which means a ticket would be issued. I was hoping that once Gullidge became sheriff, the county would start investigating the accidents in this county.

The GSP is busy and sometimes it can take a long time for one of their patrols to arrive at a Paulding County traffic accident. I've always thought it stupid to have a deputy at the traffic site directing traffic while waiting for GSP to show up to take the report, when the deputy should be fully capable to do it himself.

 

[ShoeDiva]

A county this size needs a medical examiner not the set up we have now.

How do you believe that would improve the set up? (I really don't mean that snarky. I'm really asking.)

Because they are trained in the medical field and have a degree in the areas of forensic medicine. That is needed to work crime scenes I believe. I think they have to call in someone from Atlanta to do that now. Please correct me me I am wrong.

Kinda like we have to call in the GSP to investigate traffic accidents? Just why is that, btw? I've never understood that.

I had heard back when Harris was sheriff, he didn't want his deputies writing tickets because it would cost him votes. When you investigate a traffic accident, one driver is going to be at fault, which means a ticket would be issued. I was hoping that once Gullidge became sheriff, the county would start investigating the accidents in this county.

The GSP is busy and sometimes it can take a long time for one of their patrols to arrive at a Paulding County traffic accident. I've always thought it stupid to have a deputy at the traffic site directing traffic while waiting for GSP to show up to take the report, when the deputy should be fully capable to do it himself.

I agree.

 

[Foxmeister]

Investigative Responsibility: Title 45 Chapter 16 Section 24 of the Georgia Code Annotated requires the Coroner, along with a law enforcement officer and medical examiner, to investigate the following types of deaths that occur within their various jurisdictions:

•As a result of violence
•By suicide or casualty
•Suddenly when in apparent good health
•When unattended by a physician
•In any suspicious or unusual manner
•After birth, but before seven years of age, if the death is unexpected or unexplained
•As a result of an execution carried out pursuant to the death penalty
•When an inmate of a state hospital, or a state, county, or city penal institution dies
The coroner's major role in the investigation is to help establish the cause and manner of death. The "cause" is the medical reason the person dies, and the "manner" is whether they died as a result of a homicide, suicide, accident, natural causes, or in an undetermined fashion.

The importance of ascertaining the true cause and manner of death cannot be over-emphasized. In addition to the monetary aspects, such as the difference between the insurance payoff in a suicide as opposed to an accident, there may also be family and public health issues to address. The coroner has the difficult responsibility, in most cases, of notifying families of the death of a family member or loved one. If the death is due to an infectious disease, proper authorities must be notified so measures to protect the public may be implemented. If a death is improperly ruled a homicide, someone may lose his or her freedom.

The advances in medicine, forensic sciences, and death investigation techniques have enabled us to delve more deeply and be more accurate in determining the cause and manner of death. Due to these advances, it takes a great deal more time to properly investigate a death today than it did 15 years ago.

Judicial Responsibilities: Title 45 Chapter 16 Section 27 of the Georgia Code Annotated requires the coroner to hold an inquest in certain kinds of deaths: "When an inmate of a state hospital, or a state, county, or city penal institution dies suddenly without an attending physician or as a result of violence" and "When ordered by a court". Coroners have the authority to hold an inquest on any case, but are required to hold one in the above situations.

 

[ShoeDiva]

How long has Clark held the position of coroner? I head something, but it can't be right!

 

[mei lan]

How long has Clark held the position of coroner? I head something, but it can't be right!

40 years?

 

[mei lan]

A county this size needs a medical examiner not the set up we have now.

How do you believe that would improve the set up? (I really don't mean that snarky. I'm really asking.)

Because they are trained in the medical field and have a degree in the areas of forensic medicine. That is needed to work crime scenes I believe. I think they have to call in someone from Atlanta to do that now. Please correct me me I am wrong.

Kinda like we have to call in the GSP to investigate traffic accidents? Just why is that, btw? I've never understood that.

I had heard back when Harris was sheriff, he didn't want his deputies writing tickets because it would cost him votes. When you investigate a traffic accident, one driver is going to be at fault, which means a ticket would be issued. I was hoping that once Gullidge became sheriff, the county would start investigating the accidents in this county.

The GSP is busy and sometimes it can take a long time for one of their patrols to arrive at a Paulding County traffic accident. I've always thought it stupid to have a deputy at the traffic site directing traffic while waiting for GSP to show up to take the report, when the deputy should be fully capable to do it himself.

I agree.

I agree with your agreement. Fox, thanks for the info. That is truly the first I have ever heard of that, and if true, HOW STUPID!!! Ye gods. I think the GSP should tell the SO to go pound sand or be prepared to shell out x dollars for every accident investigation. Which the latter would hack me off because that would mean our tax dollars are paying twice for the same thing.

 

[LisaC]

I had heard back when Harris was sheriff, he didn't want his deputies writing tickets because it would cost him votes. When you investigate a traffic accident, one driver is going to be at fault, which means a ticket would be issued. I was hoping that once Gullidge became sheriff, the county would start investigating the accidents in this county.

The GSP is busy and sometimes it can take a long time for one of their patrols to arrive at a Paulding County traffic accident. I've always thought it stupid to have a deputy at the traffic site directing traffic while waiting for GSP to show up to take the report, when the deputy should be fully capable to do it himself.

Actually, when my car was rear-ended last year, the SO did the accident report because the GSP was at another accident scene. The officer even asked if I felt like the other driver should be ticketed for the accident and, when I said no, he said give me a couple of minutes and I will have you on your way then. It leads me to believe that the officers have some discretion to decide for themselves in minor traffic accidents (which I greatly appreciated).

 

[newsjunky]

And just because the people weren't aware of it is what got so many counties around this area in so deep with the cronyism and problems that may never be found. There simply should not be one person with so much involvement, so much control over, so much responsibility. It's my personal opinion but there it is. When one man/family is getting so much tax payer money it is just begging for trouble. He has the EMS contract and just about lost the business because of, from what I understand, bad business decisions and/or management. Those are all reasons enough for me to put somebody new in the position. Sam may not be under investigation for anything, he may not have given us any known failures but I'm not aware of anything wrong with Jeff and he doesn't have the conflict that I see with Sam. Just an opinion ... a different way of viewing things. And quite honestly I find it offensive (and a cheap shot) to be lumped in with the dope and change group because of it. There are no base political differences here ... we're not talking about the D vs. R. And this county ABSOLUTELY has a history of gross cronyism and the good ole boy thing that makes many of us very suspicious of anyone with his/her hand in the pot too many times.

You are entitled to your opinion and so am I. You can accuse me of taking a cheap shot if you like but truth is truth. Just to have a change is not a good reason to show someone the door. I will most likely be voting for Sam again and you can vote for your change. We will both be doing what we feel is right. I won't stoop to calling that vote for change a cheap shot by you either.

NJ why are you going to vote for Sam? I know I am voting for someone different, because with all qualifications equal, and both owning funeral homes, I am going to go with the one that does not also have the ambulance service. Like UM stated it is a lot of one hand in the pot. (no matter if there is nothing going on or not, the appearance is there and I do not like that one person gets to do everything.) I also do not like the fact that payroll has not been made more than once and even though the people I know that were not paid still loved and adored Sam, it impacted them financially. Times are tough. I know that, but it does not change that it happened.

We need to play nice and asking someone why they are voting for change (just for change) when that is what got the US in trouble really did come off as a not so nice jab when you are aware how we all feel about that change. JMO :dunno This is not like that. I do think we will all be okay if either one wins (I do not see either as bad) and Sam probably will. He is beloved by many and I do believe that will win him the election.

Saying something I believe to be true about "just voting for change for the sake of change" is deemed to be a cheap shot but accusing me of taking a cheap shot for stating my opinion and my thoughts is Ok. I got it. Have a nice discussion I am out of it.

 

[mei lan]

I had heard back when Harris was sheriff, he didn't want his deputies writing tickets because it would cost him votes. When you investigate a traffic accident, one driver is going to be at fault, which means a ticket would be issued. I was hoping that once Gullidge became sheriff, the county would start investigating the accidents in this county.

The GSP is busy and sometimes it can take a long time for one of their patrols to arrive at a Paulding County traffic accident. I've always thought it stupid to have a deputy at the traffic site directing traffic while waiting for GSP to show up to take the report, when the deputy should be fully capable to do it himself.

Actually, when my car was rear-ended last year, the SO did the accident report because the GSP was at another accident scene. The officer even asked if I felt like the other driver should be ticketed for the accident and, when I said no, he said give me a couple of minutes and I will have you on your way then. It leads me to believe that the officers have some discretion to decide for themselves in minor traffic accidents (which I greatly appreciated).

Awesomeness!

 

[ShoeDiva]

And just because the people weren't aware of it is what got so many counties around this area in so deep with the cronyism and problems that may never be found. There simply should not be one person with so much involvement, so much control over, so much responsibility. It's my personal opinion but there it is. When one man/family is getting so much tax payer money it is just begging for trouble. He has the EMS contract and just about lost the business because of, from what I understand, bad business decisions and/or management. Those are all reasons enough for me to put somebody new in the position. Sam may not be under investigation for anything, he may not have given us any known failures but I'm not aware of anything wrong with Jeff and he doesn't have the conflict that I see with Sam. Just an opinion ... a different way of viewing things. And quite honestly I find it offensive (and a cheap shot) to be lumped in with the dope and change group because of it. There are no base political differences here ... we're not talking about the D vs. R. And this county ABSOLUTELY has a history of gross cronyism and the good ole boy thing that makes many of us very suspicious of anyone with his/her hand in the pot too many times.

You are entitled to your opinion and so am I. You can accuse me of taking a cheap shot if you like but truth is truth. Just to have a change is not a good reason to show someone the door. I will most likely be voting for Sam again and you can vote for your change. We will both be doing what we feel is right. I won't stoop to calling that vote for change a cheap shot by you either.

NJ why are you going to vote for Sam? I know I am voting for someone different, because with all qualifications equal, and both owning funeral homes, I am going to go with the one that does not also have the ambulance service. Like UM stated it is a lot of one hand in the pot. (no matter if there is nothing going on or not, the appearance is there and I do not like that one person gets to do everything.) I also do not like the fact that payroll has not been made more than once and even though the people I know that were not paid still loved and adored Sam, it impacted them financially. Times are tough. I know that, but it does not change that it happened.

We need to play nice and asking someone why they are voting for change (just for change) when that is what got the US in trouble really did come off as a not so nice jab when you are aware how we all feel about that change. JMO :dunno This is not like that. I do think we will all be okay if either one wins (I do not see either as bad) and Sam probably will. He is beloved by many and I do believe that will win him the election.

Saying something I believe to be true about "just voting for change for the sake of change" is deemed to be a cheap shot but accusing me of taking a cheap shot for stating my opinion and my thoughts is Ok. I got it. Have a nice discussion I am out of it.

I do not want you to leave the conversation! I know I was not trying to make an accusation, I was just writing it did come across like that to me also as it was worded. We all have to remember it is hard to feel and see emotion in our postings, including mine to you.

I believe both UM and I, and others have stated why, and not just for the sake of change. (though if I could get a confirmation on the length of time he has held that one office/position, I just might be saying that it is time for some new thoughts/ideas/a way to run things.) Could you tell us why you are voting for Sam?

 

[LisaC]

I do not want you to leave the conversation! I know I was not trying to make an accusation, I was just writing it did come across like that to me also as it was worded. We all have to remember it is hard to feel and see emotion in our postings, including mine to you.

I believe both UM and I, and others have stated why, and not just for the sake of change. (though if I could get a confirmation on the length of time he has held that one office/position, I just might be saying that it is time for some new thoughts/ideas/a way to run things.) Could you tell us why you are voting for Sam?

I agree - I want to learn as much as I can about both candidates. In this office, everyone seems to agree that both men are nice and compassionate, so I just want to know what makes one better than the other so I can make the best decision possible.