|
Updated: 11:08 AM May 21, 2010
Gulf County Commissioners Taking Advantage of Oil Spill Containment Work
We all know it's been pretty tough out there for a lot of people, especially fishermen to draw a paycheck since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill a little more than three-weeks ago. So you can imagine why some Gulf County residents are questioning why BP passed over them and hired some Gulf County commissioners instead.
Posted: 10:18 PM May 20, 2010Reporter: Josh Gauntt Email Address: joshua.gauntt@wjhg.com  Gulf County Commissioners Under Fire For Working With Oil Spill Contractor |
|
24 Comments 
Three Gulf County Commissioners are taking advantage of some the opportunities afforded by the oil slick containment efforts. Board Chairman Carmen McLemore, Commissioner Billy Traylor, and Commissioner Nathan Peters are working with local BP contractors helping to deploy boom material.
Long time Gulf County fisherman Gene Dykes says those looking for work should be first in line, not county commissioners.
"We've got a lot of people without work that need it really bad. And here they're getting paid and the county. It just seems like double-dipping to me," Dykes said.
Others say it's not an issue. A few boat captains tell us the commissioners have been able to get the contractors to hire a majority of gulf county residents.
"But do you think you could have someone local in here instead of a county commissioner who's probably not hurting? Well I don't know if he's hurting. I don't know anyone in Gulf County that's not hurting but once again he follows the criteria. He's a commercial fisherman. He catches fish like all the rest of us," Mark Moore, a boat captain said.
McLemore strongly defended why he's out working.
"Do you see how some people could see this as a conflict of interest? Yes sir, I understand a few, a handful of people think that but they are jealous people. You've got one or two that try to stir up the pot, but my goal out here is not for Carmen McLemore to work. It's to put Gulf County people to work. They can have my job if they want it. Come on down. I just want to see Gulf County go to work," McLemore said.
McLemore told us he along with the other commissioners have been able to get British Petroleum to hire six more boats in addition to those they've already hired. Those people will begin work Monday.
Reportedly those working for the contractors make anywhere from eleven to twelve dollars an hour. We did ask McLemore how much he's making working for SWS. He wouldn't tell us only to say its different salaries.
We spoke to Commissioner Traylor by phone, he told us he's only a laborer just working for the citizens of Gulf County.
Latest Comments
I can't believe that he had the nerve to say people are jealous. Jealous of what? I have enough sin on my hands that I have to answer to God for. I would not trade places with any commisioner in Gulf county. They are going to pay (maybe not here on earth) for everything that they have ever done that has affected the health and welfare of every human being they have the opportunity to help. They will also have to answer for every lie that flows from their mouth. This county will always be in the situation it is today unless the Federal Government gets involved. Go to the top and voice your complaints. Nothing will be done on the local level. There are too many "high rollers" backing each other up. Do not think for a minute that the other two commisioners we have are doing the right thing. They all need to be out of office.
Isn't it mighty funny or odd or down right crooked that McLemore was the one that provided a boat for this job and is making $1200 a day for it to just sit on the trailer. Oh yea, and he's getting paid for his truck too. What a Crook! If you just want Gulf County to work like you said in your interview, why did you take this job away from poor fisherman? Give your check to the fisherman or the County. Yea right, padding that pocket. Crooks!
What a complete joke! I don't know why people act surprised. It is ALWAYS like this in Gulf County. If you are not an "important" person's brother or cousin or best friend, you are not going to advance in Gulf County. Cronyism and back room deals run rampant here, and honestly, the people in "power" like it that way! Until voters take a stand and show them that we are sick and tired of it, things will never change. It has been like this since the VERY beginning. If Channel 7 picked up every story about shady deals in Gulf County, there wouldn't be time to cover the Bay County news. This isn't the first time that something like this has happened, and it won't be the last. This is the most nepotistic backwoods little place in existance. It is just flat shameful!
