Property Assessor's Race Reaches Boiling Point

By: mjcowger on 7/24/12
This Station asked for a response to this letter and below is the COMPLETE response:

Bill Boner was given an opportunity to face the citizens of Rutherford County last Friday. He had committed to be on the program yet, the day before per Scott Walker the moderator, he called the station and said that he could not make it because he left his cloths in a motel room and had to go back for them. He also told Scott, that he would phone the interview into the station . He either hung up or “lost” the call but Scott tried many times to reach Mr. Boner but he could not be found. This lack of character more than anything else describes Mr. Boner action’s in his office.

As a Constitutional office this office was created without any oversight by the State, County Mayor, County Commissioners or any other County department. The only oversight is us the voters at election time. He has used so many excuses with the citizens of this County it would take more than this brief letter to spell them all out. He has blamed the State, the human resources department or his employees who only answer to him and no one else in County Government.

Bill Boner also faces sexual harassment charges from two former employees. His responses have been: ”there are younger and prettier women in his office”, it is all political or they are all lying. But since that case has come to the public’s attention, seven additional women and three men have come forward to corroborate the allegations, some which work or have worked in the assessor’s office or have had similar experiences with Bill Boner over the last few years at other locations.

The question must be asked, how many people must come forward before his lies become the truth, Is it two, four, seven or a hundred? Recent events have brought to light how appearances can be deceiving. One does not have to look any further than the Penn State and Jerry Sandusky's conviction of molestation charges for this example. Sandusky was able to hide his true nature from those whom he attended church, from his friends and family. Sexual predators do not do these things in the light of day in front of witnesses. Friends and neighbors, even faced with overwhelming proof of guilt, will blindly cling to the belief of innocence to someone in whom they have placed trust.

Recently Bill Boner has written to news papers and radio stations saying that he is cleared of all the charges. Yet, even his own county hired attorney disputes this and says that isn't true. The case was removed because when Congress passed this law, the politicians there decided that an elected official should or could not face an EEOC complaint. These charges are now being filed in the Federal District Court in Nashville.

The truth will come out eventually. The wheels of justice may turn slowly but they do turn. When the ladies who made these charges and the men who work in the office step forward and testify in court proving once and for all the real character of Bill Boner it will be the taxpayers all of us, who suffer as we are forced to pay money out of our pockets to cover his indiscretions.

By: nonbias on 7/25/12
Anyone can find friends and family who lend them support, even the likes of Casey Anthony and the Aurora shooter. That is our Christian duty. But when a countless stream of people with no previous agenda continuously come forward with allegations of corruption and incompetence, we ignore them at our peril. Can any unbiased person truly believe every one of these persons with a complaint is just a malcontent? How can we continue to trust our tax rates and home values to this man? I pray for Mr. Boner but their is no way I would ever vote for the man.

By: VOLJONES on 7/25/12
Boner is an embarrassment to Rutherford County and to all of its citizens. I'm sure he's on his best behavior around his church members, families, and friends; but his flagrant lack of respect for taxpayers and county employees is apparent. Also, he is in no way qualified for the office of Tax Assesssor.

By: robmtchl on 7/27/12
Even Governor Haslam recognizes my contributions to our community.

http://rob4rctn.com/?page_id=235

People Who Know Rob

Some of the people who know Rob Mitchell

Whom it May Concern:

This message is for anyone who wants to know the character of Rob Mitchell. Rob has always been a decent and just person. His values are best seen in how he deals with others, not so much in what he says, but in how he acts. I know him to be a kind, caring, thoughtful person who seeks to understand how others feel, not just advance his own reactions. He listens and usually appreciates where others are coming from. I have known many politicians, but Rob is different. He tells the truth. He works for the best good of all concerned.

Reverend Ronald A. Litten

Early’s Chapel United Methodist Church

Concord, VA

I first met Rob when I was the morning show personality on WLAC. Rob became a good friend, an avid listener and above all was always ready to share an opinion as well as a compliment. Most of all I realized Rob had great common sense and a work ethic

that is hard to find today. Rob Mitchell will bring integrity and great character to government.

Dave Macy (Macy in the Morning WLAC Nashville)

I have been a friend of Rob Mitchell’s brother, Carl, for over 20 years. It was through Carl how I met Carl’s parents, sister and Rob (and his family). Rob is an insurance professional, civic minded, ethically driven and, most importantly, family-oriented. The Mitchell family is close-knit and focused on nurturing and maintaining a strong family bond, and Rob is a vital component of the closeness he and his family maintain. I know Rob to be an honest, thoughtful and caring person. Anyone who casts aspersions against Rob is doing so without concern or regard to putting forth the truth and Rob’s core character. That, of course, should speak volumes about the individual casting such aspersions.

Bruce Poag

Nashville, Tennessee

I have know Rob Mitchell since he was approximately 13 years old. That is when I first met him. His family had moved to the same neighborhood as my family. We became good friends and retained that friendship even after his family moved to Tennessee. He is a very loyal person who places his reputation above personal interests. I have never known him to lie about anything. He has always told the truth about any issue you ask him. Even when the answer may have hurt him personally. He would sooner take the brunt of dealing with the truth than to be caught in a lie. In today’s society that is a rare quality. Rob’s morals are higher than many people I have known. He is a good family man as well as an honest individual. As many of us today have seen most politicians will tell the public what they want to hear just to get elected. Rob is no politician. He is not motivated by personal gain and is incapable of the corruption that drives other political leaders.

We have stayed in contact with each other for all of these years for one reason. I consider him to be a man I would rather hold onto as a friend even when it requires work to maintain that friendship. Most people lose these friendships of their youth because it takes too much work to keep the friendship close. Family and Job obligations take precedence over keeping in touch. Since Rob and I have maintained this friendship over the many years since it began, even after he moved away speaks for itself.

I hope this will help you with developing a better picture of who Rob Mitchell is and why I consider him an asset to all those who take the time to get to know him.

Sincerely,

Donald Litten

I have know Rob Mitchell about 2 years he is great friend. If you ask him about anything he will tell you the truth. He is a great asset for us and our county and he will be fair with everyone. When he tell you anything, you can count on him. I consider Rob Mitchell to be an asset to all those who take the time to get to know him.

Sincerely,
Gerald Brawner

When I first met Rob it was at church and the first thing I noticed about him was his love for his family, you could just see it in his eyes when he looked at his children or his wife. I played the drums in a small worship ensemble. One day after service, Rob approached me and spoke about how his youngest son was interested in playing the drums. So I suggested I asked Rob to have him and his son meet me after services. Josh was an engaging but shy young man but he had a natural ability and most important for drummers, rhyme. After a couple of weeks of meeting after church, I gave Josh a pair of sticks, a practice pad and a couple of lessons. Now Josh is a senior at Siegl High School,a drummer and maintains a 4.0 grade point average and has developed into a very good percussionist. Rob’s oldest son,Andy,is following in his footsteps and is attending college at Rob’s Alma mater, M.T.S.U. Rob’s daughter Hope,a sophomore, is enrolled at The school is Franklin road Christian school.

I have not known Rob as long as many people but I have observed his character first-hand in business, with his family, friends and acquaintances. I have never known him to treat people in a demeaning manner and his ethical behavior is beyond reproach.

Michael Cowger- Smyrna,TN
To the folks of Rutherford County,

I met Rob Mitchel around the 1981, while attending Middle Tennessee State University. He was doing a fund raiser for his professional buisiness fraternity and sold me some cheese. Rob even delivered the product to my door and we’ve been friends ever since. It was also a coincidence that we became next door neighbors at another apartment complex close to the campus. Rob with his warm and enthusiastic personality, became friends with some of my contacts in the Murfreesboro area. In 1985, I lost my job, home and significant other. It was at a very low point in my life and my very good friend Rob was there to help lift me up. Later that year, I moved away and took a job in Massachusetts and later transferred to Oklahoma City where I still reside.
Through the years and distance,Rob and I have kept in touch and I have watched this individual grow and show his great character as a father and a husband. I consider Rob Mitchell as a brother and very loyal friend and know that he would make a great County Assessor for the folks of Rutherford County,as he has always put people first.

Sincerely

Joe Morrison

Oklahoma City

(405) 819-6410