An open letter to Harry Sanders

To my esteemed colleague Harry Sanders, before I share my thoughts with you, I have a question, do you really want to travel down this road of firing employees, disrupting county operations and ruling by a vote of three?

I watched your interview on WCBI television. I thought, this is deja’vu from twenty years ago. There you were, knowingly passing on false information and distorting the truth to accommodate your narrative. As always, you wanted to make the conversation about me. No, it’s about you and your disregard for the law. In 2000, you came to the board and fired countless employees and adversely impacted their lives, for no reasons other than you had two other votes. You were in your mid-fifties full of energy and listening to some of your misguided supporters. Here we are 2020, you’re seventy five years old and it shows. Of course, twenty years shows on all of us. Time has a way of limiting our physical and mental faculties. Seemingly, the difference with you and other people, is twenty years changes our perspective on life. We’re not trying to be the “Boss” or destroy the lives of people on a whim. We are trying to add value to our well-being. Our community, like the rest of the world is in a state of crisis. Our lives have been altered. Sickness and death is ravaging our communities, people are out of work, with little or no income, the economy is on the brink of collapsing, and you’re consumed with power. Does serving as President of the Board make you feel privileged or you just feel privileged anyway? Regretfully, everyone has not been afforded the good life and financial stability you enjoy. Perhaps, it’s your luxurious life that gives you the opportunity to indulge in so much tomfoolery. People are filled anxiety and uncertainty, and you’re fixated on being a “delusional powerbroker.”

Mr. Sanders, before you venture down this road of contention and disruption, stop by the mirror and reflect for a second. The year is not 2000. People are not cheering for you to get Leroy, the economy is not flowing like milk and honey and your support base is dwindling. We have all watched your shortcomings in the board room. I’ve tried to be there to help, when needed, but if you’re going to resort to your old ways, have at it. Are you sure you can trust your two colleagues to support your plantation mindset for three years? Remember, one has been there only three months and has not been tried in the fire of politics.

Mr. Harry Sanders, I want to make it clear to you and this community. I will not engage in your tomfoolery and bully behavior in the board room or anywhere else. I will spend my energy focusing on the welfare of my family, my friends and this community. We’re in the need of trusted leadership, not delusional power seekers. If you and other members of the board want to disrupt the well-being of this county, so be it. I will not be a part of it. However, please note, I will not be disrespected, nor will you and your accomplices diminish my role on the board. I have served with approximately twenty men during my tenure on the board. You have been the most astute businessman. However, your good deeds will never be recognized because of your lack of empathy and compassion. Harry, you are a master of manipulating others. What’s the secret in getting men to compromise their integrity? Perhaps, you recognize their lack of integrity from the beginning.

Harry, the action by you, John and Trip toward Ralph Billingsley is shameful. Even more disgusting, is your personal attacks on his job performance and personal character to deflect from your illegal actions. Ralph has been the most effective County Administrator since the implementation of the unit system of government. With his strong financial background and management skills, he has saved the taxpayers millions of dollars. His “team” as he fondly refer to his employees, are productive and the reason Lowndes County is envied by others. Your blatant lies and allegations against Ralph are unfounded, and you know it.

I hope John and Trip understand the implications of their actions. John has always shown an uncompromising loyalty to you. But, for him to follow you down this road is shocking. During his tenure on the board, he has been a decent man. Whether in the board room or on the street, John Holliman has been a kind and pleasant individual. The employees have always like him. Whenever needed, he has always been there for the employees. I’m sure my theory is right on his course of action, but I don’t have the space to talk about.

Harry, again your magical skills to manipulate other men should be studied. In less than three months on the board, you were able to get Trip Hairston to buy into this heinous plot of firing the County Administrator. It’s ironic he would buy into such a move, considering his relationship with the last Administrator you pushed out. His bold and arrogant statements will stick with me, “firing Ralph wasn’t personal, but I wanted my friend to have this job.” I hope this is not a pattern he plans to follow. For the past eight years, our relationships have been harmonious. Meetings in the board room were almost like sitting around a camp fire, cooking marshmallows. I’m convinced it was due to the moral character of Bill Brigham and his lifelong friendship with you. At least he provided you with a moral compass. Bill, I miss you for more than one reason.

Whenever the next individual assumes the role of County Administrator, I hope he recognizes the citizens elected five Supervisors and not three. As a retired Military Colonel, I would hope he would still cherish the idea of honor and duty and not be misled by you, my esteemed colleague, Mr. Harry Sanders.

Leroy Brooks

Lowndes Supervisor District Five

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.