Tag: Melanie Huggins Ward

Horry County Spins More Negativity Toward Treasurer

Horry County officials again put a negative spin on comments about the Horry County Treasurer’s Office in a story by a local news outlet this week.

The story questioned Treasurer Angie Jones hiring of former Horry County Clerk of Courts Melanie Huggins-Ward to clear up the backlog of tax refunds owed to Horry County taxpayers.

The issue dates back to July 6, 2017, three days after Jones took office. Jones requested the county contract with Huggins-Ward for a part-time position to work on the refund backlog.

Assistant County Administrator Justin Powell responded by saying Jones was $20,591.72 over budget based on proposed salaries. He also included the following statement: “It is my understanding it is financially favorable to her (Huggins-Ward) to work as a contractor rather than as an employee because it prevents her pension from being cut off after earning $10,000 with the county. Human Resources is contacting the South Carolina Retirement System and IRS this morning to ask their opinion on the use of a contract to circumvent the SCRS earnings limitations on retirees. The last thing any of us wants is the appearance of an attempt to “game” the Internal Revenue Code or laws governing the South Carolina Retirement System.”

County officials made certain this email was included in documents provided to the media outlet. Of course, the comment about ‘gaming the system’ was jumped all over.

It appears this was the intention of county officials all along, because an email to Jones from Horry County Human Resources Director Patrick Owens bearing the same July 6, 2017 date was not included, but contained the following suggestion:

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Political Spin in the Treasurer’s Race

This election cycle has had more crazy rhetoric, bogus claims and political spin than most.

The older I get, the less patience I have for political spin and interpretations of statements and the written word, by politicians, that make no sense.

What is fact and what is fiction in the political arena is quickly confused and expanded when it gets into the world of social media.

A perfect example of this is the attempt by Angie Jones to explain why she resigned from the Treasurer’s office while still attempting to be elected the next treasurer.

The press conference by Jones last Friday was an attempt to change the message from why were tax penalties removed from her brother’s tax bill to alleged mistreatment of Jones in the Treasurer’s office.

The press conference statements are contradicted by an earlier statement by Jones when she announced her candidacy.

From the Angie Jones June 10, 2016 Press Conference:

“As most of you know I have resigned from the Horry County Treasurer’s office to accept a position in the Horry County Clerk of Court’s office… I will no longer subject myself to the hostile work environment and malicious attacks that I have endured over the last several months.

“This all began in February 2016 when I was approached and was asked to give up my job title so that my opponent could run his campaign as the current Deputy Treasurer. I was assured I could keep my salary and the only change would be my job title. I refused and it has been a nightmare from that point forward.”

From a March 11, 2016 article on Angie Jones in the Horry Independent announcing her candidacy:

“Of course, I’d never run against Roddy. We made a good team.”

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Angie Jones Press Conference Answers NO Questions

(Above pic Angie Jones, left with Lois Eargle)

A press conference held Friday by Angie Jones, a candidate for Horry County Treasurer in the Tuesday June 14, 2016 Republican primary election, left unanswered questions as to why Jones resigned her position as Deputy Treasurer just five days before the primary.

Jones will begin a position in the Horry County Clerk of Courts office Monday morning. Jones mother, Nancy Jones, is currently Deputy Clerk of Courts.

Jones claimed she resigned from the Treasurer’s office because of a hostile work environment toward her since February.

I believe that reason it total political spin and has nothing to do with why Jones resigned.

According to several sources within Horry County Government, prior to her resignation Jones was the subject of an internal investigation on alleged removal of penalties from a tax notice sent to her brother.

After receiving inquiries earlier in the week from local media about documents supporting the allegations, Treasurer Roddy Dickinson reportedly looked into the allegations.

Jones resigned from her Deputy Treasurer position Thursday and the only comment Dickinson would make was to confirm her resignation.

Jones’ press conference Friday was to supposedly address Jones’ resignation. This was the perfect time for Jones to address the investigation and answer questions about it. She didn’t.

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