The General Lee Garner

This has been a long road, but unknowingly to the powers that be we are making great strides to rid our town of corruption. This now goes well beyond local issues, and local remedies, but I am glad to say, there are those on a Federal level looking into our issues. I have had several calls lately from individuals who are wondering if they have been denied credit, or been victims of mortgage fraud, and other issues, since it has been reported that Lee Garner sits on the Board of Directors of Focus Credit Union. I will tell you that the proper agency is aware of your concerns, and will get to the bottom of all of this, as we did with the deception of the Internet Café issue. Lee Garner got on WCTV News, pretending to dislike the idea of the Internet Café in our town, when he issued the provisional permits, without the Council’s approval, and sat on the Board of Directors of Diamond Academy, the company that owned the building that the Internet Café was in. Lee Garner is responsible for personal information of citizens in the community being compromised, such as their social security numbers, date of birth, and driver’s license number. It has been revealed to me that Lee has been guilty of using our inmate worker program, to accommodate his friends, and business acquaintances, while writing it off as infrastructure problems. Lee has been accused of predatory lending, by lending financially burdened individual monies, and charging them outrageous interest on that money. He has been accused of receiving kick backs from our energy company that our city contracts with, while we continue to struggle to pay our energy bills. He has been accused of attempted assault on a Councilman’s wife. A friend of mine told me a few weeks ago, that if you didn’t have the numbers against Lee Garner, that nothing could be done. Well I am here to tell you within the next few months a lot will happen, and we did it without the numbers. We had the proof, and,it was all because of the actions of a few. No government official is more powerful then the people they serve. 

Just a thought.

Stan

Definition of obsessedpast participle, past tense of ob·sess (Verb)

1. Preoccupy or fill the mind of (someone) continually, intrusively, and to a troubling extent: Obessed:

Stan

I hope nothing but the best for you as you try to accomplish all the goals you set for yourself. I am happy you and Mrs Cherry came to a common understanding. You had the best of intentions by trying to organaize the talent show. Pray for us , because this is a battle that is going to be a long haul. We have had several conversations about Chattahoochee, and if the thinking of some will ever change., and will we all, ever advance to the point of where all of us, feel as if we have our place here. I hope you find happiness.

Chattahoochee, FL ---

City manager Lee Garner describes his experience at the internet cafe that was briefly opened on Cemetery Street in Chattahoochee.

He says the owners were only issued a temporary license for business when they opened in May."I felt like I was in a casino in Las Vegas and the only thing missing is that I didn’t come by and have someone serve me a drink," says Garner.

The internet cafe is located right in the center of a residential neighborhood. It's also located only feet away from a nearby hospital. The city manager says it concerns him.

"I pushed that mouse and there was bells and whistles and lemons and cherries came out there and to me I felt like I was gambling," says Garner.

The cafe was forced to close on June 10.

The county board voted 3-2 to approve a moratorium that would end business for all internet cafes in the town for six months.

Chadeedra Johnson says the internet cafe was not all about gambling.

"They had it where you can get on the internet and look for a job. You could Google, Facebook and all that kind of stuff. It was more than just gambling," Johnson says.

The discussion on regulating internet cafes in Florida was on the table during the legislative session, but was never voted on. We spoke to the internet cafe owner, but he declined to comment

Latest Comments

Internet cafe users and supporters packed the Quincy City Commission chambers for the June 14 meeting. Commissioners voted 5-0 to continue the moratorium on any future cafes 90 days beyond the Aug. 22 deadline. In the meantime, a workshop on the issue will be conducted to discuss amending the zoning codes to allow computer gaming with outlined regulations to restrict, as may be modified, the number of locations of Internet Cafes and establish appropriate fees.
    Pamela Cooper said that as a full time college student she uses the cafe to access the Internet for her classes and leisure time.
    "There are no movies, no bowling ally and no place to go in Gadsden County. I respectfully ask you all to not stop the Internet Cafe," said Anthony Thomas.
    It was explained to Thomas and Cooper that the commissioners were not trying to stop the cafes but regulate where they will go and exercise some control over the businesses.
    Tenesha Flanders, who managers the Golden Internet Cafe said many of her patrons use the cafe as a social diversion.
    "We have signs up about gambling addiction but we cannot control people. If they have a bill to pay and they chose to come to the cafe instead of paying that bill, it's on them. If they don't spend it in the cafe they're going to spent it on the lottery or something else," Flanders said.
    The issue regarding Internet Cafe regulation was presented at the May 24, 2011 regular meeting. After a June 2 workshop, staff was directed to review regulations that other municipalities use to allow computer promotional gaming.
    There are currently no laws in Florida prohibiting the operation of Internet Cafes using simulated gaming devices. Like Quincy, in the absence of regulations, other communities have decided it is better to have an ordinance or some other regulations in place instead of allowing these businesses to set up and operate without regulations.
    The regulation options commissioners will decide on include:
    • Location must be at least 1,000 feet from a child care facility or any school, church, county park, community center, senior citizen center, recreational facility or 5,000 feet closer to a similar business.
    • Video surveillance will be installed in and around the facility and will be maintained at all times and kept for 14 days and made available to law enforcement if needed.
    • An annual fee per device or a flat rate, transferrable or non-transferrable will be assessed.
    • A monthly inspection fee, per device or a flat rate, will be assessed.
    • Background checks will be conducted on everyone involved with the business and must be cleared before a permit is issued.
    • Addiction information (flyers and pamphlets) will be displayed throughout the facility for local Gamblers Anonymous services and treatment centers.
    • Uniformed security personnel must be on duty at all times.
    • Hours of operation will be established for opening and closing of the business.
    • Business will be held accountable for all activities and patrons within 500-foot parameter.
    • No minors allowed.
    Flanders said her business does no allow minors and that if a person appears underage they are asked to show identification.
    Earlean Taylor asked commissioners if Internet Cafes, which claim to support charities, could be required to donate to local charities.
    "We have no option to pick and choose the charities, some people use national charities because they already have to 501 (C) designation. But I have taken it upon myself to help some charities in this community such as the Men Of Action and Relay For Life. We really prefer that you all tell us the rules and regulations and what you want. That way, we can go down the list and do what you ask us to do. Owners want to be regulated," Flanders said.
    

Stan

Stan