THE LEADER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013 ▪ VO L . 1 2 9 , N O. 8 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪
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County purchasing questioned Audit finds deficiencies in several departments By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com County purchasing policies have been called into question following its annual audit by the state, according to the comptroller of the treasury. While the audit disclosed no
instances of noncompliance or significant deficiencies in internal controls over major programs, the auditors could not qualify the audit. There were four departments in which deficiencies were found: the office of the county executive, sheriff’s
office, public works and the school system. Purchase orders not issued In the county executive’s office, the report indicates purchase orders were not issued in some instances and, for those that were issued, none were signed. Additionally, sometimes purchase orders were issued after purchases had been made. “This practice defeats the purpose of the purchase order and makes it an approval of
payment rather than an approval of the purchase,” said comptroller Justin P. Wilson. Finally, the county’s comprehensive travel policy was not always followed and, in some cases, the standard mileage rate was not used to reimburse employees. To strengthen internal controls, Wilson’s office suggested the issue of purchase orders for all applicable purchases before the purchase is made. All purchase orders should be properly approved and signed
and the county’s travel policy should be followed to reimburse employees for business expenses. Payroll, purchasing deficiencies The auditor’s review also revealed deficiencies in payroll at the sheriff’s office, attributed to a lack of managerial oversight, the comptroller said. The auditor noted time sheets were not always signed by employees, supervisors SEE AUDIT, PAGE A3
Benefit set for officer, vet with brain cancer By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com MUNFORD – It’s amazing how quickly things can change, and Munford reserve officer Bruce Potter can likely attest to that. In October, Potter, 47, who is also a Navy veteran, had a seizure and was subsequently diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer. “He had no signs anything was wrong,” said Officer Jeff Daly, who is organizing a fundraiser to benefit Potter’s family. Potter has undergone extensive POTTER chemotherapy and radiation, treatment Daly said was helping with Potter’s seizures but resulted in hemorrhaging on his brain. He returned to his Munford home late last week and, unfortunately, his prognosis is not favorable. He is currently paralyzed on his left side. Daly, along with Munford Short Stop and Home Plate Café owner Rich Cocarro, is organizing a benefit on Tuesday night to help the Potter family with their SEE POTTER, PAGE A3
Clifton parole request denied By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com Declined. That was the recommendation by the Tennessee Board of Parole Hearings Officer Wednesday following the initial parole review for former Covington teacher Cindy Garner Clifton. Seven months ago, CLIFTON the middle school SEE PAROLE, PAGE A2
HOTCAKES AND HOSPITALITY Lions Charles Yoakum and David Seagrave welcome guests to the 58th annual Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, a fundraiser that provides eyewear for those in need. Photo by Andy Posey.
BLACK HISTORY
Serving city is in Edwards’ blood By JEFF IRELAND jireland@covingtonleader.com When John Edwards was tapped in 2005 to replace his father, John Mack Edwards, who had just died, as a Covington alderman, he wasn't sure he was up to the task. “I was thinking this is beyond me,” says Edwards. “He took it for granted that I would be able to do the job.” Turns out he would do just fine. Covington residents voted to keep Edwards, 50, in his position in 2010. He's now the vice-mayor and chairman of the Finance and Administration Committee, which makes important fiduciary decisions for the city. The elder Edwards knew he wasn't going to be around much longer before
POTTER
his death and tried to make sure his namesake would be prepared for the job. “There's so much he explained to me,” says Edwards. “I'm still learning, to be honest, but I've got a great group around me.” John Mack Edwards was a bit of a legend in Covington. He was elected the president of the local NAACP
in 1962 and served in that position for 14 years. Around the same time he became the first AfricanAmerican to be elected to a county-wide position when he served as a constable. In 1989, he became a Covington Aldermen, and eventually vice-mayor. His first job with the city was a garbage collector. John Mack's wife and the younger John's mother, Alma Edwards, was the first black nurse in Tipton County. “Their legacy is a driving factor as to how I conduct myself on the board,” Edwards said, “As well as in life.” John Edwards is carving out a nice name for himself as well. His full-time job is at Delfield, where he writes programs for laser-cutting machines.
SPORTS
Much of his spare time is spent tending to city business. He says his main focus is on education, lowering unemployment and curbing crime. “At some point a light went off in my head,” Edwards says. “Those are all connected … If you've got more people employed, there's less crime … Not too many people commit crimes on their way home from work.” The younger Edwards was one of the first black students to attend previously all-white Covington Grammar School in the late 1960's, before mandated integration. There were problems around the county and country as black and white students began attending the same schools, but
SEE EDWARDS, PAGE A3
BULLIES BEWARE!
► Munford boys, girls and Covington girls win district titles, B1 Also inside: BMS Lady Cardinals have record season, B2
Reader's Guide Opinion Obituaries Community Correspondents Education
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