The Shadow
Dear Editor,
“It’s time to own up.”
Many — and possibly the majority — of citizens in Clifton Forge are becoming alarmed with the situation unfolding between our town council and the Clifton Forge Armory Committee.
What began as a simple request for information from the armory committee has now expanded to an auditor’s professional review of the agreement between our town council and the armory committee.
This “deeper look” has produced limited, but shocking facts. Mayor Jeff Irvine, an elected official, is also head of the armory committee. He is stating publicly that all requested information has been provided.
This is not accurate or truthful. Noticeably missing are annotated debit card transactions where Mayor Irvine took cash out of the armory committee’s bank account. Mr. Irvine, “It’s time to own up.”
The auditor reports there is serious mismanagement of the Clifton Forge Armory Committee, including its money. The town council needs to take action. Fix the problem and hold Mr. Irvine, president of the armory committee, accountable for mismanagement.
Mr. Umstead and Mr. Irvine, as both members of town council and the armory committee, should not take part in any council inquiries and oversight of the armory committee. People cannot investigate themselves. I view this as the very definition of conflict of interest.
Mr. Irvine and Mr. Umstead, “It’s time to own up.”
As a requirement of doing business with the Clifton Forge Armory Committee, I will be forwarding you a request of facts from the armory committee, going back to 2012.
Why 2012? Available documentation will show that a clear blueprint for recording the flow of money was in place. Over time, Mr. Irvine, president of the armory committee, chose to mislead his committee, council and our town as he ignored this blueprint and the foundation for reporting and accountability.
Current attempts to fix some issues does not excuse past mismanagement.
The committee needs leadership President Irvine either cannot or will not provide. We are looking to the one body that represents all residents, our town council to address this issue head on, “own it” and get us back on track.
Sincerely,
Charlie Kahle
Crestwood Ave., Clifton Forge
