under what rug  (by: jim  -   11/16/2009)

Dear Angry, I didnt hear anything either about the post arrest, Wanna bet that they jumped the gun on that also? If I rememebr right, it was this Ken Wheeler guy in the middle of that fiasco also. I can just hear the reason for arresting a citizen for taking dirt samples from a waste pile. I keep saying there is more to this dirt thing, I dunno what, but some of the powers that be are awfull touchy about this so called waste dirt.I mean think about it, if you had to get rid of some pesky dirt, why would some people be so pissy about it? Mark my words, sooner or later there is going to be more to this dirt deal! Heads will roll and it will be all over covering some dirt up.

What's in a report? Truth or what they want you to believe?  (by: Rusty Shackleford  -   11/16/2009)

"Wait for the report" comes up alot. How much faith can you put into a report as far as accuracy? Can they not be "doctored" to protect the chosen ones?(a.k.a. good ole boys)

  (by: Rust Shackleford  -   11/16/2009)

This county needs a watchdog like Preston. He does alot of our homework for us. Love him or hate him, you gotta admire his persistance.

  (by: Rusty Shackleford  -   11/16/2009)

If the spill was admitted would the employee have been fired? The instant messaging swingers conducted their dirty talk right under the noses of a computer administrator, the gas bandits stole fuel in front of hidden cameras. For all he knew he was on camera. Should have admitted the mistake and asked for mercy.

Colby  (by: Angry  -   11/16/2009)

Colby hush..............Always have to get your nose in everything. Whatever happend to you being arrested. Was that pushed under the rug?

spill  (by: resident  -   11/16/2009)

first it says he did report it, then it says he didnt. So did he or didnt he?

Once again you failed  (by: Ray Napper  -   11/16/2009)

You still want to pass judgement before you know the facts. Not my job to tell you all of them because it's far from over yet. Now lets see about 50 calls saying thank you for the program about the audit. Then I've been asked my opinion more times than I can count. I've offered my a different opinion about county staff and workers because you only present one side of the story. I simply tell you the other side and point out that you're wrong most of the time, like now. Then you say because I ran for office. Sorry never have and never will. I won't go to work for the county either. So go figure. I gain absolutely nothing when I give my opinion. It's worth just as much as yours. No more, no less. As to all the fuel that Mr. Colby wants us to believe is gone. Okay then why does no one from the counnty to the state and all agencies in between feel he's wrong? Believe what you will folks but all you're doing is wanting someone to be the cause of your own problems. The man's work history is still on file. Maybe you should go take a look at it...or wait for the report.

Ray Yapper  (by: Toni  -   11/16/2009)

Always the government lackey! He darn well knows that the little man got the axe because some big county big shot can keep his job. It is their responsibility to ensure that there is a program in place to inspect all equipment on a routine basis. Not just when DEP comes snooping around. The man reported the incident and by law that is all he is required to do. It was the person whom he reported it to that should have lost their job! Mr. Napper you are such an expert on everything. It's amazing that this world can exist without you! I've never really seen you do anything however, but offer an opinion that nobody wants! Perhaps you are getting back at the voters for not electing you into a government position. Thank God for that!

Failed Leadership????  (by: Preston H. Colby  -   11/16/2009)

Bill: You said "I doubt our failed leadership." Does that include Barbara Stewart, Chairperson and present pointperson on getting rid of the asphalt plant so we can buy asphalt from APAC? Regards... PHC

mdkdlk  (by: mdkdlk  -   11/16/2009)

The county is obviously out of compliance. The containment area is supposed to be equal in volume to the fuel tank that is in it. For those readers who can't wrap their heads around this concept,(for example) if the tank holds 20,000 gallons, the containment area is supposed to hold 20,000 gallons. Dean Young is being made a scapegoat. There may be a problem out there, but I seriously doubt that the problem is Dean Young.

Covering  (by: Sara  -   11/15/2009)

Mr Napper do you work for the County or are you just up the backside of certain people so far you cant see the light for the left over charmin. I dont think I have ever read a reply from you that you dont cover for a County Staff memeber. After all the situations that have come to everyones else's light, you still for some reason make excuses for every situation. I will agree that some are just down right wrong or stupid, but there have been a few that it is obvious that rules have been broken.

Mr. Napper  (by: William Sueppel  -   11/15/2009)

You confuse me. My statements are genuine and based on knowledge provided by this article and other sources, specifically, government employees. Eat my words? I am starting to feel guilty and thinking maybe you want to blame me for the fuel spill screw-up? I suppose you believe that operating an asphalt plant 60 days out of the year is efficient as well? I just do not appreciate government getting into the Free Market. I have always opposed the asphalt plant and the more it costs, the more it confirms my opinion. Please enlighten me as I doubt our failed leadership.

Let's see if this helps  (by: Ray Napper  -   11/15/2009)

This isn't about lack of training. At his time the county can't prove who did it but someone drilled 2 holes into the containment tank AFTER it had been tested and shown to be water tight. They also CLEANED UP the shavings Plus the holes were drilled in a place that you couldn't see. Now please explain how that's a management problem? Like I said. Read the report before you go passing judgments. Or if you know something feel free to share what happened. There are quite a few people who would love to hear what you have to say about it.

DIRTGATE  (by: Preston H. Colby  -   11/15/2009)

Jim: What an applicable title for that cover-up... PHC

SO SAD  (by: sebring_resident  -   11/15/2009)

Well this is sad that the gentleman had to loose his job right at the holiday season, considering that this incident took place so long ago. How is it that he did report the matter the next working day, but yet it did not go any further. It seems like firing the little man might make it look good on paper, but still to think, he lost his job so many months later after this matter, that is sad. Why did it take so long to fire him? Why is it that the other people involved have not been dealt with? Also, this spill took place at a landfill, I can only image what worse things are in the landfill, you never know what resident's of highlands county hide in thier trashbags and or what they discard in those tight closed black trash bags, I would guess a whole lot worse than some fuel, I mean come on, it is a landfill, it isn't like we are going to build anything on top of the landfill.

How Much Spilled???  (by: Preston H. Colby  -   11/15/2009)

If the diesel fuel overflowed the top of the containment tank and the containment tank holds about 375 gallons, and if the containment tank has holes in it, how in the world is the spill limited to 120 gallons? It might be 120 gallon over-the-top, but the total would have to include the containment tank capacity, so if the County can't deduce that, how do we accept their quantification of 120 gallons? WE DON'T......MORE COVER-UP. Ken Wheller reported a shortage of 17,400 some gallons to the HCSO, where did that fuel go??? Who drives a diesel truck or auto? Regards... PHC

No Protocol ?  (by: JRT  -   11/15/2009)

This line says it all. You give the employees No training or rules to follow in case of a spill or accident at the landfill. Are incomunicato till the next work day. What sort of management is this? O, sorry it is the management that we get for our tax dollars wasted. And Dean, sorry you lost your job because of the FOOLS that you worked for.

Dear William  (by: Ray Napper  -   11/15/2009)

I'd take the time to tell you how incorrect you are but just read the report which is due any time. Then please add a little salt and eat your words for dinner.

Fuel Spill/Sacrificial Lamb  (by: William Sueppel  -   11/15/2009)

Implications that the chain of command was unaware of the spill? BS! That plant is under a lot of scrutiny and how can anybody not know of a spill? Let me guess, no leadership personnel leave their office to observe or inspect their operations. What I do not understand is that if the spill was reported to the chain of command; why did the leadership fail to report to the DEP? I know why; they can't stand reporting to any of our other inept government agencies. It is a wonderful example of pork at the local level and local leadership making an already inefficient operation, a more costly operation for the taxpayers. Firing an employee for a leadership responsibility reeks as in stinks, like a stinking government that fails to be accountable.

Spill  (by: Jim  -   11/15/2009)

Is it just me, or does this Kew Wheeler seem to be in the middle of every altercation with either employees or the public? I have no axe to grind in any of these metters, but for some reason he always seems to be the person who either finds and solves the problem by firing someone or attacking anyone who seems to ask more in depth questions. I am still waiting to see where the Dirtgate situation with Howerton and Preston Colby finnally ends up. Granted common rules would warrant the removal of a incompetent employee in a situation like this, but how many of these situations are going to have too arrise until the real powers that be in the County remove the true incompentent person?