The Saga Continues: Engineering Board to look at Warnock complaint

Engineer fights report's validity

Complaint filed over study initiated by Madison mayor

MADISON COUNTY — Engineer Rudy Warnock has filed a complaint with the Mississippi Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors about a study instigated by Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler analyzing his contracts with Madison County.

The board will investigate the complaint, according to Rosemary Brister, executive director of the state licensing board.

"This is something the board will look at," Brister, said

Dorsey Carson, Warnock's attorney, filed the complaint April 28, alleging the mayor used a "hired gun" engineer to compile the report that criticized the county's engineering contracts, its lack of checks and balances with Warnock and Warnock's fees.

In a letter to the board, Carson charges that Richard McAfee, hired by Butler, violated state law by engaging in "the unauthorized practice of engineering in Mississippi."

Brister said the board, meeting April 29, determined the complaint met the criteria for an investigation - it fell within its jurisdiction and "was not frivolous."

A member, investigator and attorney from the board along with Brister will look into the allegations. Brister said she has no timetable for completing the investigation and it's too early to say how the complaint will be resolved.

Butler called the request for a state inquiry "a smokescreen and just another deterrent."

She cited McAfee's credentials as a consultant to two presidents and the military as proof that he is a capable engineer able to offer an opinion in Mississippi.

"Mr. McAfee can give his opinion all over the world but can't in Madison County." Butler said. "Who is Rudy Warnock to question his resume? Mr. McAfee has worked under presidents Bush and Clinton and Gen. Colin Powell, and he can't give his opinion on a Mickey Mouse operation here?"

In the complaint, Carson said that McAfee, who used his credentials as a professional engineer to sign the report, violated the state statute that requires any person practicing engineering in the state to be licensed in Mississippi.

Read the complete story at The Clarion Ledger 

You can view a copy of the complaint here.

Related Post: Warnock takes his gripe to the State Board of Licensure

MISSISSIPPI CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AGAIN RALLIES TO SUPPORT DISASTER DECLARATION

Delegation Supports Aid to Recover from Damage Caused by May 1 Tornadoes and Flooding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the Mississippi congressional delegation have again rallied to support the state of Mississippi’s request for a presidential disaster declaration to aid victims of floods and tornadoes that tore through north Mississippi earlier this month.

U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, Gene Taylor, Travis Childers and Gregg Harper today sent President Obama a letter endorsing the disaster declaration application submitted by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour to the White House late last week.

The state’s request seeks a federal disaster declaration for six north Mississippi counties where tornadoes on May 1 and subsequent flooding killed six people and damaged hundreds of homes. The Governor’s initial application would cover Alcorn, Benton, Lafayette, Prentiss, Tippah and Tishomingo counties.

Regarding the May 1 tornado damages, the Mississippi lawmakers wrote: “The latest estimates show that 6 Mississippi lives have been lost and nearly 250 residences were destroyed or have major damage and 482 homes received minor damage. Much of this destruction has occurred in parts of our state that have been particularly affected by our nation’s current economic situation. Many of these counties have poverty levels that are more than double the national average.”

“We stand ready to face this new challenge by supporting the local communities, the State, and your administration as we work together to rebuild and renew areas destroyed by this major storm,” the delegation stressed in its correspondence to the President.

The lawmakers, who also backed Barbour’s application for federal assistance following a massive tornado on April 23-24 that killed 10 Mississippians, thanked President Obama for approving that request and making federal assistance available to the state.

Members of the congressional delegation have been consulting with Barbour, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and local officials regarding recovery efforts and outstanding needs in the damaged region. The issuance of a presidential disaster declaration, as requested by the state, would trigger the release of federal disaster assistance and resources.

Visualizing Obama's Budget Cuts

Resources on Obama's Supreme Court Nominee Kagan

From the Federalist Society, here is a link to do research as long as your little heart desires.

There will be a test!