New name of dealership is “Team Chevrolet.”

CAO Lynn Spruill seems to have a problem with the current structure of the Parks Commission. She seems to have some valid points. Does the BOA need another helping added to their plate?

The full story from the Commercial Dispatch.

From Friend of StarkvilleNow Anthony Hopper via snail mail:

4Jan08

Robbie Coblentz! Wireless card down, resort to snail mail
The blog is great, attention to community issues! Keep on reporting and digging, yours is a voice needed here. Paper should take a cue and not give in to pressure. Surprised me since Hawkins is outspoken and recently blasted Thornell on other issues. Hmmm..

But I agree, what the *%$@ is Thornell doing? The chamber used to DO things, be respected. Why is he allowed to run it into the ground? What positive thing has he ever done here? How are we better off because of his efforts – not what others do, but what HE himself has done? Where is the leadership in all this? You are also right, he works for the people – that means you and me. How dare he suggest that you or I “sit at home and be quiet?” One of our fundamental rights as Americans is to question, to demand better. Hasn’t he ever heard of the constitution? Freedom of Speech? How dare he think that he is above reproach? That is nothing but sheer arrogance and is offensive on so many levels. If that’s his style of leadership, then no wonder e can’t keep staff.

As one of the people that pays his enomnous salary, I want answers! Do I have his track record right:

- Cornerstone sits there years later with no sewer or water and one tiny building. Thornell is proud that he cut trees recently. Wow. Progress.

- I know of no business he brought to town. MSU, yes. Private developers, yes. But Thornell? He is never mentioned in any negotiations with GTR development or anything else. No press conferences, no announcements. This is active???

- New chamber membersw and ribbon cuttings? Wow. I thought that was what they were supposed to do! Wonder what the complete story is, though. How many DIDN’T renew? Bet we’ll never see that number in print!!!

- Why so much turnover in that office? That figure is unacceptabe!!!

- Thornell didn’t bring Office Depot here. The owner of that shopping center did. Another case of taking credit for someone else’s work? How often does that happen?

- Happy that sales tax and tourism tax are up. Great for our economy! But since Thornell doesn’t have anything to do with whether I eat out or have a beer, he can’t claim victory to that stat. Nothing to do with him or his office. He’s just reporting facts.

- Same for low unemployment. He can’t even keep his staff, let alone be responsible for the hiring in the county. Again, reporting what goes on around him-or in spite of him.

- For years now we read that “prospects are in town.” Just how long does he think we’ll continue to buy that? Why hasn’t ONE of those prospects signed on the dotted line? That performance in any other job sector would get him canned in a heart beat. He’s batting zero.

- Active in getting retail here? Who? Where? Another Dollar General IS NOT QUALITY retail!!

- What about the number of businesses who CLOSED? IF he wants to take credit for getting so much business here, shouldn’t he also be responsible for those who don’t make it? Can’t have it both ways.

The only thing I can see that he is good at is misleading the public, outright lying (remember those false figures? I hear he does that all the time). He apparently can bluff big time to save his ass, and no one checks up on him. WHY IS THAT? Do people really just take him at his word?? WHY???

For the big bucks he is said to bring down, where is our return on that investment? Again, in another business he would have been sacked long ago. He’s no salesman yet he wants us to believe he is the only one who knows how to win the economic development game. What a pile of crap. If this is winning, then I’m King of England.

Thornell is nothing but a lying, loser. Time for him to get off the team and let people who REALLY know how to get things done move this town forward. He’s a waste of time and money.

Anthony ‘Bobcat’ Hopper, proud to be an OUTSPOKEN AMERICAN
Old West Point Road

{Editor’s note: I personally don’t agree with the “lying, loser” description. I do think Mr. Hopper raises some very valid points.}