10-20-08 The “Open Government Army” lost a valiant Soldier

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10-20-08 The “Open Government Army” lost a valiant Soldier – Pike Watchdog died on Oct 16, 2008

Lloyd Gayton, 78, of Zebulon, joined Bass in the lawsuit………………………."Well, the ink wasn't dry on the settlement when they started doing it again," Gayton said. "So we sued again. And during the course of that suit, we asked the judge to listen to four of those tapes. After he listened to two, he told the commissioners, 'If you bring this before me I will find you in violation.' " …………………………The commission settled a second time. AVOC . October 19, 2008 . The “Open Government Army” lost a valiant Soldier – Pike Watchdog died on Oct 16, 08 . By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc . Oftentimes in life, our paths cross with persons we never dreamed of in earlier times. In my efforts with AVOC, I became acquainted with Lloyd Gayton of Zebulon, known as the Pike Watchdog. We never met personally but would wind up on each other’s email lists and we exchanged emails on issues of Open Government from time to time. . Lloyd attended many local government meetings and reported activities to citizens. When the Pike County Commissioners violated the Open Meetings Law, or were perceived to be in violation of the law, the Pikewatchdog reported it. He also joined in some lawsuits that changed the BOC’s methods of operation and helped expand the body of law and background on Open Government in Georgia. . Some of Lloyd’s messages and comments appear below. He was also known for having some “gem of wisdom” or quote at the beginning of many of his articles. The message of his death was sent late Friday by a colleague to his many correspondents and excerpts said: . “He became ill around 2 weeks ago and was hospitalized first in Thomaston, and then transported to Macon. . Doctors had a difficult time finding out what was wrong with him. At first they suspected pneumonia because he was having difficultly breathing. After running tests they determined that he had a staph infection (MRSA) in his lungs. Shortly after being hospitalized, Lloyd was placed on a respirator, and sedated. He was unconscious for most of the last few days of his life. . Hopefully, another Pike citizen will come forward and monitor county government. Lloyd was actively involved in this year’s elections and some of his thoughts appear below. . Lloyd Gayton and other “watchdogs” were recognized by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in March 2006. Information on that article appears below. . Many of us who strive for Open and Honest Government mourn the loss of Lloyd Gayton – The Pike Watchdog.He will be missed. 3-15-06 A J-C recognizes government watchdogs “Heros for Open Government” - Jasper and Pike Gayton.Lloyd.Obit.10.16.08 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution http://www.legacy.com/atlanta/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=119006898 . October 19, 2008 OBITUARIES . Lloyd Herman Gayton . GAYTON, Lloyd Mr. Lloyd Herman Gayton, age 80, of Concord, passed away October 16, 2008. . He was born in Bartow County to the late Stovas and Pauline Gayton. He was a data processor for Lockheed in Marietta for a number of years. He tried to promote harmony among government officials in Pike County and was called the "Pike Watchdog". He was an avid golfer, enjoyed feeding and watching humming birds and following the whooping cranes. . He was preceded in death by his first wife, Faye Gayton and his sister, Hazel Bryson. He is survived by his wife: Betty Ann Gayton; sons Lloyd Dennis Gayton of Marietta, Larry Dean Gayton of Concord and Richard Craig Gayton of Concord; Grandson: Edward Allen Wilson of Woodstock; Brothers and a sister-in-law: B. R. and Irene "Pond" Gayton of Covington and Charles Gayton of Douglasville; Sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Barbara and Ken Josey of MI; Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. . A memorial service will be conducted on Monday, October 20 at 2 o'clock in the chapel of Moody Funeral Home with Rev. Michael Moody officiating. Interment will follow in Moody Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit the family on Monday from 12 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home. . Moody Funeral Home, of Zebulon, GA, is in charge of arrangements (770) 567-8642. . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution http://www.ajc.com/sunday/content/epaper/editions/sunday/issue_4431f9c534ebf04d004e.html . Sunday, March 12, 2006 . OPEN GOVERNMENT: CITIZEN HERO / CAROL BASS: Watchdog holds Pike's feet to the fire . Richard Halicks - Staff . Zebulon --- Zebulon Pike, dubbed by a biographer as "the lost pathfinder," didn't pass through Georgia while en route to a certain peak. But folks here were so high on Pike that they created Pike County in 1822 and named its seat Zebulon. . With its soaring clock tower, the stately courthouse in Zebulon is a landmark that even the stumbling explorer could locate, if he were around today. . And if he couldn't, Carol Bass could show Pike the way. The courthouse is familiar terrain to her. But Bass might also feel some kinship with Pike. She sometimes thinks she's walking the same trail over and over again. . "They say you can't beat City Hall. Well, we did," she said. "Then you gotta beat 'em again, and beat 'em again, and . . . ." . Bass and a small group of fellow residents filed suit against the County Commission in 2003, alleging that the commissioners were meeting in secret session in violation of the law. Their suit ended in a settlement, which included the unusual provision that the commission record all its executive sessions for two years and provide those records to the court on demand. . Lloyd Gayton, 78, of Zebulon, joined Bass in the lawsuit. . "Well, the ink wasn't dry on the settlement when they started doing it again," Gayton said. "So we sued again. And during the course of that suit, we asked the judge to listen to four of those tapes. After he listened to two, he told the commissioners, 'If you bring this before me I will find you in violation.' " . The commission settled a second time. Bass and Gayton are both proud of the battle they've waged, but both are unsure that they've really been able to change much in the county. ………………………………… Open Government.Pike.9.6.06 . From: Pikewatchdog@aol.com To: wtdaws1958@hotmail.com Subject: Re: Macon Telegraph article on Closed Meetings Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 12:31:01 EDT . In a message dated 9/6/2006 12:10:38 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, wtdaws1958@hotmail.com writes: . I agree that the practice of routinely closing meetings should be stopped. . Lloyd From: WT Daws [mailto:wtdaws1958@hotmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 11:09 AM To: Pikewatchdog@aol.com Subject: Macon Telegraph article on Closed Meetings . Lloyd, . I agree …….. that many of the Counties are now Closing Meetings. It is standard on their Agenda Notices for every meeting. . Apparently, they have gotten some info or Law changes that encourage this. When I left office in Oconee at the end of 2000, this was not the case. . New Commissioners are "Trained" by the Association of County Commissioners of GA (ACCG) and the Carl Vinson Institute of Govt at UGA (CVIOG). Citizens of Counties need to network on this and complain to Legislators about the trend - also to the Attorney General. . Wendell Dawson AVOC, Inc. From: Pikewatchdog@aol.com To: Pikewatchdog@aol.com Subject: Macon Telegraph article Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 10:41:09 EDT . The following article appeared recently in the Macon Telegraph. . Commission has reasons for closing meetings *By Keich Whicker* TELEGRAPH STAFF WRITER . Typically, at some point during the days they meet together in committee sessions, Bibb County Commissioners will look at one another until one of them asks the inevitable: "Do we need to close the meeting to discuss this?"………………… Pikewatchdog.Ltr.ChairmanFry.2.16.08 . From: Pikewatchdog@aol.com Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:30:02 -0500 Subject: Fry letter and my response To: Pikewatchdog@aol.com . “A true leader faces the music even when he dislikes the tune.” Many of you might not know that in the commission meeting held on Wednesday, February 13, ChairmanSteve Fry read a letter he had written to all Pike County employees. The letter was written because of the circumstances surrounding the suspension of Wendell Becker. I have attached a copy of that letter to this e-mail. This is my response to Fry’s letter. *…………………………* Open Government Pikewatchdog.Comments.5.15.07 From: Pikewatchdog@aol.com Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 20:30:50 -0400 Subject: County manager hiring process To: Pikewatchdog@aol.com . “When a person sells principles for popularity, he is soon bankrupt.” . After the special commission meeting held on May 8 I wrote, “As previously reported, in the commission meeting of April 24, 2007 the board voted to hire Bramblett without waiting 14 days as prescribed by law after releasing his name to the public.” . I have been questioned, criticized and even ridiculed for maintaining that the Pike County Commission Board broke the law when they hired James Bramblett in the commission meeting of April 24. . Perhaps others are wondering why I feel that the hiring process was illegal; therefore, I will state the reasons for my position and let people decide for themselves. …………………………… Open Govt.Discussion.Lloyd.Pike.County.9.17.08 . From: Pikewatchdog@aol.com Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:50:48 -0400 Subject: Political chicanery To: Pikewatchdog@aol.com . The following account is an example of how public officials, either through deliberate action or gross negligence, commit questionable and illegal acts. I have reported much of this to you previously and I bring it up again only to re-emphasize what some public officials will do to cover up something and that they have little or no regard for citizens they are supposed to serve. . In early February 2008 County Manager Steve Marro wrongfully suspended Community Development Supervisor Wendell Becker for one week without pay. . Another Community Development employee had a confrontation with Commissioner Roosevelt Willis and claimed that he created a hostile work environment…………………….. Executive Sessions - Pike County Discussion - Applies to Oconee and Others.2.11.08 From: WT Daws [mailto:wtdaws1958@hotmail.com] Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 12:48 PM To: A-D-Wtd-Home Subject: Executive Sessions - Pike County Discussion - Applies to Oconee and Others . This is a good discussion of Executive Sessions that are routinely held by County Commissions in GA in recent years. . At least some are being challenged. . Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc From: Pikewatchdog@aol.com Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:56:45 -0500 Subject: Executive Sessions To: Pikewatchdog@aol.com . To be or not to be, that is the question! A variation of that applies to the Board of Commissioners’ executive sessions. To discuss or not to discuss, that is the question! What to discuss and what not to discuss in executive sessions has been a bone of contention for years and has been the subject of a couple of lawsuits against the county. . During the BDA (Blount, Dunn and Avery) regime it became standard operating procedure to have “Executive Session—personnel” on the agendas. In the minds of BDA it meant they could discuss most anything they wished—and they did. . It got so bad that a Superior Court judge, in a lawsuit settlement, slapped them on the wrists and ruled that executive sessions would be recorded for two (2) years. Apparently they didn’t think the judge was serious because nothing changed. ……………………………………. . Later, in yet another lawsuit, evidence heard in depositions persuaded the same judge to listen to tapes of two executive sessions. After hearing part of one tape he decided he had heard enough and said that if the case were brought before him he would rule it a violation. That led to a settlement in the suit. . As a result the settlement order addressed executive sessions as follows: . When Executive Session appears on a meeting Agenda for the Pike County Board of Commissioners, the county department to which the Executive Session pertains shall appear on the meeting notice and agenda along with the specific reason for the motion to go into Executive Session. For example, an agenda advertising an Executive Session for the purpose of discussing compensation of an employee of the Pike County Public Works Department would be set forth as follows: . Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of compensation of an employee of the Public Works Department pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-14-3(6) . *If the Pike County Board of Commissioners reasonably expects to go into Executive Session for any purpose, the agenda shall so reflect in the example shown above.* ……………………………..