Exposing the Hypocrisy: Does Haywood County's Chairman Ensley Deserve Your Trust?
- LeRoy Cossette
- 7 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Truth Regarding Commissioner Terry Ramey's Tax Accusations
The truth about tax payments among Haywood County commissioners has come under scrutiny. Commissioner Terry Ramey has a spotless record, paying his taxes in full and on time for over 50 years. Yet, a recent controversy over unpaid taxes, involving Haywood County Board of Commissioners, Chairman Keven Ensley, Brandon Rodgers, Tommy Long, and Jennifer Best, raises serious questions about the lack of integrity and transparency from these four elected officials.
This post reveals a troubling pattern of hypocrisy and misinformation being perpetrated by Smoky Mountain News reporter Cory Vaillancourt and Haywood County Commissioners Kevin Ensley, Brandon Rodgers, Tommy Long, and Jennifer Best. Voters need to understand the apparent hypocrisy and conspiracy that, in my opinion, these individuals are perpetrating against Commissioner Terry Ramey.
According to the Haywood County Tax Collector’s Office, Commissioner Terry Ramey has consistently paid his real estate taxes in full and on time for more than five decades. This fact was published in the January 25th edition of the Mountaineer News, which reviewed Ramey’s tax status and found that he owes NO back taxes.
Ramey even had the option to use a state loophole to defer payment seven years ago, but chose to pay his taxes promptly. This decision reflects a commitment to fiscal responsibility and sets a strong example for elected officials.
In stark contrast, Chairman Keven Ensley and the three other commissioners—Brandon, Tommy, and Jennifer—have seemingly been implicated in owing back taxes according to Haywood County Tax Collector records. Despite having access to Ramey's tax records, which clearly show that Ramey had paid all of his taxes in full, these four commissioners chose not to review those records and instead collaborated with Smoky Mountain News reporter Cory Vaillancourt to spread false claims about Ramey’s tax status.
This coordinated effort was designed to damage Ramey’s reputation and reduce his chances of reelection. Why? Because Ramey refuses to be a "Yes" man to Chairman Ensley, refuses to bow to Ensley, refuses to accept Ensley's decisions without question, and refuses to accept decisions made by Chairman Ensley to advance his own personal agenda. Instead, Terry Ramey chooses to ensure that every decision made by the Board is genuinely in the best interests of Haywood County residents by demanding transparency on their behalf.
The Commissioners' goal seems to be to replace Terry with a candidate who will closely align with Chairman Ensley’s personal agenda and blindly accept Chairman Ensley's control over all Board of Commissioners members.
Chairman Ensley, who himself owes back taxes, stated to Smoky Mountain News reporter Cory Vaillancourt that elected officials must set an example by paying their taxes promptly. This statement rings hollow, given that tax records show Ensley himself has unpaid taxes. He also suggested that if voters lost trust in Ramey, they could call for his resignation. Yet, it is Chairman Ensley whom many Haywood County residents have lost trust in due to his lack of transparency and apparent double standards.
The irony is clear: Ensley, Brandon, Long, and Best criticize Ramey for something they themselves have failed to do. This hypocrisy undermines public confidence in Haywood County's leadership.
This situation is more than a personal dispute; it affects the integrity of the Haywood County Board of Commissioners. When elected officials engage in misinformation and conceal their own shortcomings, it erodes trust in public institutions. Haywood County Voters deserve honest, accountable leaders.
In my opinion, there appears to be an alliance between these four commissioners and Smoky Mountain News reporter Cory Vaillancourt to spread false information about Ramey, which strongly suggests a conflict of interest on the part of the four commissioners. It raises concerns about whether the Board of Commissioners' decisions truly reflect the interests of Haywood County residents or the personal agendas of a few individuals.
What Voters Must Consider
Verify facts independently: Don’t rely solely on statements from involved parties. Check public records and trusted news sources.
Demand transparency: Elected officials must openly share their tax payment status and other relevant information.
Hold leaders accountable: If officials fail to meet ethical standards, voters must voice their concerns and vote them out.
Support integrity: Choose candidates who demonstrate consistent responsibility, integrity, and honesty.
The case of Commissioner Terry Ramey versus Chairman Keven Ensley and the other members of the Board highlights the importance of integrity in public service. Ramey’s long-standing record of being personally involved with the residents of Haywood County during times of hardship and of his paying his taxes on time contrasts sharply with the actions of the other four commissioners. These discrepancies should prompt voters to question who truly deserves their trust and their vote.
Haywood County residents must stay informed and vigilant. The future of Haywood County depends on leaders who act with honesty and prioritize the community’s well-being over personal gain. As election season approaches, voters have the power to demand better and choose representatives who reflect the values of accountability and transparency.
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