Gilmer-Fannin Baptist Association and the State Ethics Commission

Kip Draper · #1 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:05 PM

As was reported here, that rooster has now apparently come home to roost. In an initial motion with the State Ethics Commission (SEC), the Gilmer-Fannin Baptist Association (GFBA) has exercised their right to waive a preliminary ethics hearing.

According to the Fannin Sentinel (1/17/08),

Quote:

"The hearing was to be the first step in reviewing charges brought forth against the GFBA in violating state ethics stemming from the November 6, 2007 Liquor-by-the-drink referendum...based on the evidence that the SEC has accumulated there is reasonable grounds to support the allegations."

"By waiving their rights to a hearing, the GFBA is not admitting to any wrongdoing on their part and will be presented with a letter from the SEC which they must acknowledge within 30 days to begin a plea bargain (in the form of a Consent Order), and the GFBA will have to negotiate the civil penalties involved."

From my understanding, not meeting face-to-face with the SEC keeps most of the dialogue behind closed doors and away from the TV cameras, sort of like pleading nolo contendere? Anyone surprised by their 'defense' of the charges? Could this lead to a more equitable 're-vote' in the near future?

skydog · #2 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 08:39 AM

Isn't this the kind of plea deals that pro sports athletes, movie stars and other high fallutin' folks take. Man, this is sad. Isn't this the very thing we keep from instilling in our kids - refusing to take responsibility for one's actions. I can't wait for the day I hear my kids repeating back to me that the following statement they are about to make is not an admission of guilt or that they're pleading the fifth and are willing to settle for a lesser penalty. I guess I'll stop there and not let me emotions get the better of me as I have already commented on this situation. Would you not agree that this is an effort to 'save face'? Does not the leadership of the GFBA feel the slightest compulsion to make a statement?

Quote:

For any who are members of churches who read this forum and know for a fact that their church was involved in financing the 'No' vote, I would encourage them to press their own church's and assocation's leadership to come clean with all financial records pertaining to this matter. In my mind if their's nothing to hide and everything is on the up and up then why not. I think that most people can stomach and would display some modicum of compassion for those, if any, who came forward before this hearing and made a public statement that they acted unethically. Most in the human race can live with people who step forward and humbly acknowledge where they have screwed up. I also hear it's great to do that with your kids. Those churches/associations involved financially SHOULD NOT wait for this hearing to take place and SHOULD instead lay all the cards out on the table as an act of good faith immediately. I would like to think that the community of Fannin county could come together in a reasonable and civil fashion and deal with this head on without a state organization having to come in and do any hand holding. The local church should 'man up' as the kids would say and take the lead and to do the right thing and make their own records/knowledge available to any. I will say again to the local church that the world is not interested in following a people who think or portray to have it all together. Rather the world in general is looking intentionally and/or unintentionally to discover true meaning and purpose and to live in a community with others who exemplify attributes of love, authenticity, honesty and kindness that flow out of an intimate friendship with Christ. Again, I encourage the local church to not throw the fig leaf over themselves as Adam did but to bring everything about this matter out into the light.

BTW - I will neither confirm not deny that I am the actual author of the above

skydog · #3 (**permalink**) 01-23-2008, 09:11 AM

FYI - I just sent an email to the Exec Dir/CEO of the Georgia Baptist Convention encouraging him to not let this matter be resolved in the fashion it is. The church can do better than this. Let's be grown ups about this matter. I'll let you know if/when I find out more....

to be cont'd....

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