Hayes wrong to 'launch personal attack' on Cross; conduct 'appalling' in issues raised in chairman race

I believe that all who attended the recent commission chairman debate will agree that the conduct of John Hayes was appalling. Not only did Hayes admit that he knew nothing about county government and never attended a commission or a committee meeting, but I assume, to cover his ignorance, he launched a personal attack on the integrity of not only the other candidate, but Sheriff Clay Whittle, Commissioner Tom Mercer and The Augusta National Golf Club.

Hayes insinuated that there were some sleazy, back-room agreements between Cross, Mercer and Whittle that allowed the sheriff to obtain a budget increase. Apparently Hayes is not aware that the county budget was approved by all five commissioners. He also questioned the sale of a piece of property belonging to Cross to the Augusta National. Why? No one knows, but if there were ever two parties that have no need to engage in any suspicious activities, it is Cross and the National. Hayes must be an idiot or getting some real bad advice, or both.

Hayes claims to be a Christian. But have you ever heard the phrase, "your actions speak so loud that I cannot hear what you are saying"? Some people would also suggest the word "hypocrite."

Jim Bartley

Evans