On Thursday, an important decision will be made that impacts every resident of Jefferson County. I encourage you to forward this to neighbors and friends, and to stand up and be heard.
On Friday, Commissioner Gene Hall made the single most important move that has been made in Jefferson County in the last ten years. He requested a review of the county manager’s contract. This is the first step in creating a county that looks out for the welfare of each and every citizen. Change in the county office is long overdue. For five years, I have watched a steady decline in our government’s responsiveness to the everyday citizen.
There are people on both sides of this issue. On Saturday, I was contacted by many residents, one asking about the letter from the Tallahassee delegation. After a long conversation, I hung up more aware than ever that we need a change. The resident was interested in what is happening in the county, but not having been intently watching until recently, was trying to assess the situation. Under those circumstances, many choose sides for all the wrong reasons and look for the person to blame. I refuse to do that, I’m looking for the facts that lead to the solution. Only the facts matter to the welfare of the residents of Jefferson County. Everything else is just a convenient and useful diversion. In pursuit of the facts, and in the interest of keeping this conversation focused only on those facts, I’d like to address some of the misconceptions I’ve encountered in the past two weeks. Here goes…
Claim: We in Jefferson County don’t need Tallahassee messing around in our business.
Fact: That’s not entirely so. We are geographically a county of 637 square miles reaching from the Georgia state line to the Gulf of Mexico, and we have a population of 14,000 residents. The ad valorem tax base is $8.1 million and the sales and other use tax collections are $7.9 million. With a budget of $37 million, intergovernmental revenue and grants comprise more than 50% of the county’s revenue. That money comes from Tallahassee, so in reality, we are dependent on Tallahassee "messing around” in our business. Money is neither red or blue, it is green, and much of our green comes from Tallahassee. Given that, it is important our county manager work cooperatively with the delegation and with department heads, secretaries and directors. That did not occur recently and it carried a price tag of $15 million or 40% of our annual budget. Another sad fact is, after a period of five years on the job, Ms. Metty is still so naive about the importance of intergovernmental relationships.
Claim: Mike Willis, a multi-generation resident and community advocate "is behind this.”
Fact: I was recently asked if I had spoken to Mike Willis. My response was “every chance I get.” As a relative newcomer, I find it interesting that a small group in our community would choose to attack the messenger rather than listen objectively to his thoughts and ideas, and then make up their own mind. He is outspoken, but they are at liberty to be equally outspoken. A thinking person would listen and match point with counterpoint, but instead, those who oppose the issue work hard to silence those for whom they have no factual and legitimate response. I’ve encountered no other person in this county who pays closer attention to what is happening in our community and works harder for what he believes. Both because of and regardless of his beliefs, I wish there were more like him. Mr. Willis is a walking, talking history book on Jefferson County and he tells the good, the bad and the ugly. You better bet, I’ll talk to him and then I’ll make up my own mind. I want to be very clear on this, neither Mr. Willis, nor any other person can put words in my mouth or tell me what to do. I bristle at the thought.
Claim: Those politicians in Tallahassee are "behind this.”
Fact: The delegation of Shoaf, Tant and Simon work hard to represent our interest at the state level. Their interest is not in running the county. They would willingly leave that to us, but when they are contacted by Secretaries, Department Heads and Auditors who are unable to do their job because of an ineffective county manager, they have little choice but to respond. Recent examples of their reluctant involvement include the Department of Commerce, the Department of Education, the Department of Elder Affairs, and the Department of Transportation. We should look long and hard at why it is necessary for working state agencies to appeal to the delegation for intervention so that they can do their job. That would not be necessary if the board was doing their job in managing the county manager. It is an unfortunate fact that Ms. Metty’s recent interaction with the Department of Commerce necessitated, once again, that the delegation escalate departmental concerns. We must recognize the damage done when a county manager lacks an understanding of how to work with an agency to convey the community’s objectives and enlist the resources necessary to produce the ideal result. Another important fact is that it is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to develop and oversee the master strategy for how our county is managed. They are not doing their job effectively either. Maybe it’s time to take a long hard look at the politicians in Jefferson county.
Claim: Ms. Metty is taking the “fall” when the county commissioners are the ones to blame. Every one of them should be fired.
Fact: First, if Ms. Metty is taking a fall, it is because she has tripped over her own incompetence. Secondly, the county commissioners are elected, not hired. And lastly, the county commissioners are elected to represent their constituency and to lead our county. The day-to-day is the responsibility of the county manager. It’s why she is paid the big bucks. Personally, my only focus on Ms. Metty is on whether or not she is doing the job she is being paid to do. At this point, it’s my conclusion she is not. However, there is one thing I’ll fault the county commissioners for, and that is putting Ms. Metty in a job for which she lacked qualifications, background, experience, skills and temperament. For that, I too would fire them if I could.
On Thursday, February 5, 2026 the commissioners will have an opportunity to cast their vote for all of Jefferson County. They represent you. Tell them now how you would have them vote.
They are Ben White, District 5 / Jessica Gramling, District 4 / Gene Hall, District 2 / Austin Hosford, District 4 / and J. T. Surles, District 3
Cindy Pyburn