Could it be that Liberty County voters have benefited by two longtime Democratic elected public officials who might otherwise be steeped in the practice of covering up for anyone in their political party getting too angry at each other to keep their heretofore tight lips?
It is the opinion of at least some, that the initial “gauntlet” that was thrown down was when County Judge Phil Fitzgerald rightfully decided to curtail some of the special privileges District Judge Chap Cain was insisting on charging to the taxpayer. Included in that opinion is the view that Fitzgerald unlike his weak kneed predecessor, Lloyd Kirkham, decided to stand up to Cain’s behind the scenes intimidation and assert his rights and responsibilities as the chief financial officer of the county. Years of watching a spoiled arrogant self indulgent District Judge usurp the duties of county judge probably left Fitzgerald in a pre-meditated state of mind about what he wanted to “fix” in the court house and “the Cain problem” could have been his number one priority. Public officials that have been in office a while are known to throw their weight around and Cain may be in the mind of some, numero uno when cleaning up that kind of mess is mentioned.
Many more examples may be given by people that have appeared before Judge Cain in court but here are two tiny examples of the “Word According to Chapley Bell Cain”. First, for years Judge Cain parked his vehicles in no parking areas around the courthouse until it started to be complained about on the internet. Could you and I do that without being ticketed? Was he late to work all of those times or did he just park where he wanted to and dare anyone to ticket him? Second, in a courthouse that was busting at the seams and needing room , Cain had offices on two floors. Surely this is defensible, but does it show the attitude of a public servant-team player or someone who takes care of what he wants first and then everybody else second?
So County Judge Fitzgerald whacks Judge Cain’s secretary’s salary back to what it is suppose to be and what happens next? Cain threatens Fitzgerald if he doesn’t reinstate the salary at the figures he has set? With what? A “if-you-know-what-is-good-for-you” blanket threat? Did Fitzgerald try to set the salaries like they were suppose to be and the result was Cain spilled the beans on one of the things he regularly stays silent about in order to force Fitzgerald to recognize that Cain would be running the courthouse?
Did Liberty County benefit by two wrongdoers ticking each other off and revealing a little bit of the practices that have been going on in this courthouse for years? And then they separate, with Cain jumping parties and trying to deliver on his threat to Fitzgerald by using the newfound popularity of running Republican in Liberty County to whack his enemies? A political party can not deny anyone that wants to run in their party and this year we have heard from Republicans wondering why the GodFather of the local Democratic party made such a last minute public announcement of his desire to switch parties.
Perhaps we will know soon through the ongoing courthouse investigations. But regardless of what the public is ever told, I will not subject this county to the further embarrassments the two of these men could expose us to. Thank God for people willing to run against such hardball politicians. We have an opportunity to let them have their own soap opera rather than vote for them and make it our soap opera. Yes, I will vote for the republican nominee for County Judge and Michelle Merendino for District Judge – all of their scars and imperfections included.
The opinions and comments posted on Liberty Dispatch do not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of its contributors and writers.
14 comments:
Looks like Phil will soon be indicted and Cain will have the last laugh when he appoints someone to take Fitzgeralds's place. Cain used his influence to bring a deep investigation of Phil which will result in great financial loss to Phil. Expect indictments any day now...
I feel bad for Phil Fitzgerald, he has been maligned and a victim for those out to get him for trying to run a Fiscally balanced budget in Liberty County. I also believe he tried to help the county while also making a buck, is that so wrong?
Thank God for Judge Cain, he has helped clean up Liberty County by going after Fitzgerald and Judge CT Hight.
I occasionally practice law in Liberty County. I have had several clients and associates experience Liberty County DA Mike Little's corruption. My question is, how do the candidates feel about this man who is clearly out of control and revengeful? Secondly, how do the elected plan to deal with this man's behavior?
Whatever you do, dont vote for Zack Zbranek, he is related to CT Rusty Hight.
Dont worry, Tommy Chambers will win that election, hands down. Hight wrote the check, Zbranek will pay it.
As the Bible states, Proverbs 13: He who gaurds his lips gaurds his life, He who speaks rashly will come to ruin. You would figure that Allen being the self proclaimed GOD fearing man that he would understand this. Maybe he reads a different Bible or serves a different god then the GOD that Christains serve. Who knows! Please everyone quit doing business with his wreck site.
As for the anonymous that said don't vote for Zack Zbranek because he's related to Rusty Hight you need to take you own inventory. How many people have family members that aren't well liked in the community. Just because you are related doesn't mean you have the same values as your relatives. And another thing Zack Zbranek is a good man I personally feel that he would serve Liberty County well. Quit drawing for straws and assuming we all know what happens when people assume.
Yes Zack is a good man,just ask the people at Hull. He tried to get the people at Hull not to sue the Railroad when they caused the whole Town to flood, when they took out the bridges East and West of Hull. He took their side in this flood. The people at Hull, sued the Railroad and won the case in court. They recovered some of their loss. Our homeowner,s Insurance did not cover floods. The Railroad Co. said they would not fix this problem and that they would buy this little hick Town, before they shut down their trains, to fix this problem. Zack was behind the Railroad Co, all the way. He is for big Money and not the little person. I will never vote for him in any public office. I have not forgotten this incident.
Very good point, we believe Zack is real bad for the county and connected to CT Hight's corruption through blood and design. This man, if elected, will take the county backwards 100 years. His opponent Chambers is not an angel but is a forward thinker who can help usher in an era of less corruption. Zack will only feed the corruption.
Ladies and Gents, one thing is coming more and more clear. Zack, CT Hight, Phil Fitzgerald, Norman Brown and Lester Wisegerber are making a play to take over the county, and also Liberty. Party be damned for these people, its power, corruption and control they seek. All the mentioned people are related except for Fitzgerald and Brown.
No one candidate for any office is perfect, however, Zack Zbranek is hard working and is willing to research a legal issue that he is not sure of. He is much more like his father than his brother Zeb is. Tommy Chambers, on the other hand, is lazy, pushy, and arrogant. Between the two Zack is far and away the better choice.
You got to be kidding Zack is lackluster at best as an attorney. He is lock stock and barrel paid for by CT Hight and Mike Little. If he is elected, he will help Little and Hight skewer Chap Cain.
To the poster who said Chambers is lazy...I don't know many other Liberty Co. lawyers who worked and paid for their own education, entirely on their own! I think there were a couple of times Tommy had to work, laying out a semester, to save money to go back to school the next semester. Pushy? I think that may be a prerequisite to becoming a lawyer! Arrogant?...poor choice of words...he is confident in his beliefs...not afraid to stand up for what is right, even it rocks the boat!
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