CHIEF BROOKS' :::: > LATEST PERFORMANCE PART II

CHIEF BROOKS LATEST PERFORMANCE – PART II

During last Tuesday’s night Town Council Workshop, Chief Brooks provided the council will a lot of misinformation.  He was talking out of both sides of his mouth at the same time.  During this article, I will try and explain how Chief Brooks can double-talk. 

Chief Brooks stated in October 1, 2013
when he was explaining the Federal Forfeiture Funds and what can be purchased using these funds.   He also stated that he would be using these funds for the purchase of vehicles.  Well, Tuesday night Chief Brooks stated he wanted the taxpayers to pay for the purchase of two cruisers and one Animal Control Officer truck.   However, he has added a twist this year by recommending all items on the 2015 Capital Improvement Plan be leased instead of purchasing outright.  Leasing cost the taxpayers additional funds! 

Councilor Garrison asked Chief Brooks if Unit 3 was the cruiser the town replaced the motor last year and Chief Brooks said YES in a very weak voice.  I always thought that once you replace a motor it would extend the life of the vehicle.  So what is the rush to replace this vehicle? 

Up until this year, Chief Brooks always comes into the council with a quote to purchase the vehicles.  Last year, he needed $48,816.00 for the purchase of two 2014 Ford Utility vehicles.  The Council approved the $48,816.00 for the “purchase “of two vehicles.

However, Chief Brooks and Mrs. Maloy, Finance Director, converted the approved purchase to a Lease to Purchase.  The Lease to Purchase cost the taxpayers $15,331.21 and the remaining $33,484.79 went somewhere else.  However, once this money was appropriated by the Council it cannot be spent unless the money is re-appropriated by the Council which was never done.  So this $33,484.79 was misappropriated by either Chief Brooks or Mrs. Maloy.  This is the reason our taxes continue to go up every year.  Leasing adds additional cost for each of these items to the taxpayers.  More BS from Chief Brooks! 

Chief Brooks stated that the reason he wanted to Lease to Purchase the vehicles is to establish a routine to replace these vehicles on a yearly basis.  This is the same line of crap he has been giving the Council every year for the last four or more years.  Establishing a Life Cycle Management takes about fifteen minutes to complete and Chief Brooks cannot accomplish this in four/five years. 

Chief Brook continues to double-talk the Council by asking the Council to spend taxpayers’ dollars instead of using the Federal Forfeiture Funds.  Each and every one of the items on the 2015 Capital Improvement Plan qualifies for purchasing under the Federal Forfeiture Fund program.  Chief Brooks acknowledged these items fall within the programs but did not explain why he has not purchased anything off the list since October 1, 2013.  Of course, Chief Brooks’ priority has been assault rifles, GPS Bundle and toys for the K9 Officer.  There is approximately $44,282.04 left in the Federal Forfeiture Funds which could be spent to cover some of the items on the 2015 Capital Improvement Plan.

Talk about fraud, waste and abuse by Chief Brooks.  Why doesn’t the Council put a stop to this frivolous spending?

More to come!

Larry Fillmore