A gamble with tax payer's money? Are BIG chances being taken in Botetourt County's provision of Public Safety? Why let a fox in the hen house?

I want to move on to other subjects / topics but this Botetourt County issue just wont go away!

If you haven’t been following this soap opera, read my previous posts HERE   HERE  and HERE 

I’m still getting phone calls, texts, emails etc warning me that this  Joe-Bob  Billy Joe Carter is hunting me down. The rumor is that he’s looking to “beat me up” and there’s a “Bounty” on my head. Again I’ll state that I just can’t believe that’s true. It has to be 100% RUMOR.

To begin with, I’m not that hard to find….

I even made Statter911.com’s “Quick Takes” today!

I actually kinda stand out in a crowd. My picture is posted all over this and many more web sites so you should have a general idea of what I look like. All my contact information is on the computer as well. I post regularily about my personal / private life so you should all know where I live and what I do on my days off ( I live in Catawba, Va). Everyone but the guy who is supposedly looking for me has called so it must not be too difficult to find my number (597-8068).

Beyond all of that, I just don’t believe that a Fire Chief would act in that manner. None of the Chiefs I know anyway. We are PROFESSIONALS… paid or volunteer .. or at least we’re supposed to be.

There are a lot of things surrounding this story that just don’t “add up” and it’s not just Buchanan… it’s much deeper / wider than that. Apparently, Botetourt’s problems are County wide. I guess I’ll just have to start laying some of  it out on the table in hopes it can / will be resolved and everyone involved can move forward.

Some folks have asked me why I care about what happens in Botetourt County and that answer is simple. I grew up in Botetourt. I went to High School there anyway. I have family and many friends that still live in Botetourt to this day. Rhett and I (as well as our friends and family) often travel through Botetourt County. And, it’s a Fire Service issue… if the rumors are true, then what is being said and allowed to happen in Botetourt effects us all and in a negative way!

In my last post I noted that while trying to find out more information on this Carter character, I found someone with the same name and similar address from back in 2002 who had felony charges against him. Felony assault and alluding police. I didn’t think it could have been the same guy.

After I posted that article, I was contacted by several people stating that I had indeed found the right person and that there are several more felons serving either in the Buchanan VFD or other Departments within Botetourt County. Again, I just can’t believe that’s true.

I’ve searched the Virginia Judicial System’s web site under Botetourt County Circuit Court and found similar names. They don’t include pictures so I can’t be sure. You can do your own searches and see what you find

Search Botetourt County Circuit Court Records by clicking HERE 

I’ve been told that Chief Jim Boy Bob  Billy Joe Carter has either a restricted or suspended driver’s license. Again, that can’t be true. How does he respond to all these incidents? Not in a County vehicle I’m sure. NOT under Botetourt County’s Insurance policy /  umbrella?

Somebody is scheduled to appear in court the 1st week in March to see about getting their license restored so maybe I should just show up to see for myself if it’s the same guy?

I’m also hearing rumors about  members who have possibly been previously convicted of charges such as vehicular man slaughter yet still operating equipment out of the Buchanan VFD. I’m hearing about Felony drug charges and more. AGAIN….. this must be false information.

Whoever is in charge of Botetourt County’s Public Safety would NOT let issues as serious as these  go unnoticed. These people would NOT be allowed to serve as Public Safety providers .

Or maybe they ARE allowed to serve in Botetourt County. Maybe their policy allows for members with criminal records? If so, then why would “Botetourt” not just come out and say it? Why place a “gag order” on the paid members?

 That’s just it…. who IS in charge of Public Safety in Botetourt?

 I can’t find a clear answer to that  (past Assistant County Administrator Spencer Suter ). Maybe it’s Councilman Austin from the Buchanan District? I’m not sure but, either way;  I bet the responsibility will soon fall under the new Emergency Services Coordinator they are trying to hire.

Find Botetourt County’s Board of Supervisors HERE 

Earnest T  Billy Joe Carter said in a recent interview  ” I don’t need anybody down here baby-sitting me” …. maybe he does.

What kind of application process is there to volunteer in Botetourt County? Is there even a process in place? Do they not do have age limits or background checks?

That may be a good question to ask at their next Board of Supervisor’s meeting. They have one scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm. Learn Where, When and see their agenda by clicking HERE .

Their policy should be STRICT  because allowing felons to serve in Public Safety is like putting a fox in the hen house!

These are NOT the types of people I want in my house ( with my wife, children, grandchildren etc) while I’m away. When responding to an emergency incident, the Fire Chief has that authority …. to enter your home (by force if deemed necessary).

What if something comes up missing? What is someone is spoken to or touched in an aggressive or inappropriate manner? Who is liable? Is Botetourt County the responsible party? Is tax dollars covering the insurance?

These are NOT the type people I want responding to my friends /  family’s homes either. You wouldn’t just “let em in” if they knocked on your door from the street would you?

Are Botetourt tax dollars covering the liability of people with these types of criminal records driving emergency vehicles? With 2 counts (charges) of eluding police is it still ok to drive a fire truck? What if it’s not the rig… just a Chief’s buggy?

Imagine the law suit the County would be facing should a member with such a record become involved in an accident.

If they hurt, injured or killed themselves or someone else.

If  “they” ( the County) allowed this person to drive, knowing their record; who is at fault?

Again, I just don’t believe I’m getting accurate information here. There is NO WAY this could be happening in 2012! Not in a County as progressive and fast growing as Botetourt.

Maybe that’s why Joe Ray Billy Joe Carter and a few others are so opposed to the new Emergency Services Coordinator position? Apparently there are NO established, uniform guidelines for  responders in Botetourt County. No Standard Operating Guidelines (S.O.G’s) or Personal Operating Procedures (P.O.P’s). It sounds like all the Departments are doing whatever they want and however they want to do it.

S.O.G’s, P.O.P’s, Policies, Procedures etc…. why do we need those? hummmmm. I’ll go back to the County’s liability and tax payer money.

Lets start basic. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) or “Turnout Gear”. It’s the “suits” firemen and First Responders wear to protect us. They are EXPENSIVE but a necessity. When to wear it shouldn’t have to be spelled out right? WRONG. Spell it out in Policies, procedures, SOG’s POP’s etc so there is no DOUBT.

That’s another comment I keep hearing but just can’t believe. Some folks say that John Boy  Billy Joe Carter doesn’t like to wear his. I’ve actually heard that his uniform of choice on an emergency scene includes Croc shoes and a baseball cap! Again, I don’t believe those allegations. A man wearing Crocs?? On an emergency scene??… NO WAY! This guy is supposed to be a Chief.

I’ve even heard rumors that he was not wearing his PPE on the fire where he was “seriously” injured after coming in contact with a downed power line. Oh you should see THAT interview (click the links for previous posts at the top).

Wait a minute … IF the County bought and issued him PPE (Helmet, coat, pants, gloves, hood and rubber sole boots etc) and   then HE decided NOT to wear it and became injured, who pays the hospital bill? Was this a “special circumstance” or a continued practice?

Where is the tax payers money wasted? On the initial purchase of the gear they wont wear or on the hospital bills from the effects of them not wearing it and becoming injured ?

Again, these rumors must be false. We are not talking about a rookie here … this is the Chief of a Department built on a Century of Tradition!

This guys is setting the example for the members under him …right?

I said it in one of my earlier posts …. change is not always bad. The hiring of an Emergency Services Coordinator, if  nothing else; could bring some unity and structure to the Botetourt County Departments. Everyone working from the same page. A minimum level of qualifications, SOG’s, SOP,s etc.

Safer for the members and  better service for their citizens. A win/win.

If any of the volunteer Chiefs disagree with the hiring or selection process of the County’s new Emergency Services Coordinator then they should speak up. THEY SHOULD voice their concerns / opinion but tactfully.

They have been offered a seat at “the table” yet some have refused. In my opinion, these members / Departments now have NO SAY in the issue.

SIT AT THE TABLE and be a part of the SOLUTION … not the problem.  A Fire and Rescue Steering Team,  was formed in 2003 to foster collaboration among Botetourt’s volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, full-time paid  Fire/EMS  responders, and the County …. every Volunteer Chief should GO TO THESE MEETINGS!

Again I’ll say that I can’t believe that Botetourt County hasn’t gotten out in front of these issues and taken a stance or at least made a statement. Carter  had no problem getting  coverage of his views from a local TV station WSET 13 or from Duncan Adams and The Roanoke Times.

Are the rumors / allegations true??  I don’t know. I hope not. I also hope the Board of Supervisors will investigate it further. They should have access to training and criminal records for every member  on the roster of EVERY Department County wide.

Is / was Botetourt County aware of these issues and if so, for how long? I’m scared to know.

Tomorrow’s meeting may be a good one to attend if you live in, visit or travel through Botetourt County. It’s not on the agenda but maybe some of these issues will be addressed. Call your supervisor and ask.

Visit Botetourt County’s Emergency Services Web Site

**Note** I had this post in the “que” awaiting publishing when I received 2 comments from someone claiming to be Billy Joe Carter. I have not investigated to determine for certain if it is the Billy Joe Carter I’ve made reference to. The e-mail is a yahoo account and could very easily be an impostor “fueling the fire”.

In case it is him, I’ve decided to publish the comments. I am posting them “as received” with no guarantee or implication of the author.  They were left under the “contact”  tab of Ironfiremen.com vs. under a specific post.

His comments talked about needing to hear his “side” of the story … I though I had. I’ve seen the interviews and read the articles. A lot of my points / comments were quotes HE gave.

He also talks about me having forgot where I “came from” ….  I’ll debate that ANY DAY! Here are the comments…

“billy joe carter says