One Orange County Commissioner candidate is hitting hard as Election Day nears, taking on both incumbent Ted Edwards as well as another challenger in the race. District 5 candidate Gregory Eisenberg blasted fellow challenger Timothy McKinney in a statement calling for McKinney to drop out of the race completely.
Eisenberg hit Commissioner Edwards first, referencing the recent controversial Lake Pickett development vote. “There is no doubt that Ted Edwards needs to be replaced,” Eisenberg said in a statement released this week. “Last month, the pleas of over 10,000 residents were ignored in favor of developers. Disregarding your constituents to that degree implies that you are unfit for an elected position.”
But Eisenberg quickly turned his attention – and fire – to McKinney in an attempt to coalesce the anti-Edwards vote. “We need Orange County to rally around one candidate that can get the job done,” Eisenberg stated. “With that being said, I urge Timothy McKinney to drop from this race. District 5 is an important region in regards to higher education, economic development, and the sustainability of our environment. Mr. McKinney has proven that he is not qualified to handle this responsibility.”
He also alleges McKinney “will not keep your children safe” as Commissioner, while highlighting a recent scandal exposed involving organizations McKinney oversees.
“Since Tim has his degree from the ‘Professional Baseball Umpire Academy,’ I’ll put it into terms he might find familiar: Ignoring a crucial water issue = Strike 1, back taxes and liens = strike 2, and hiring an accused pedophile for a school = strike 3—you’re out!” Eisenberg said. “Tim, you need to get your house in order before deciding to run for a position such as County Commissioner, and I urge you to drop out of contention for any elected office until that is done. If Tim McKinney cannot keep his own problems under control you can be assured he will be unfit to handle yours or mine as county commissioner.”
At the time of publication, McKinney has not responded for comment. The election will be held on August 30th and environmentalist Emily Bonilla is also running for District 5 County Commissioner.
The full statement from Gregory Eisenberg:
There is no doubt that Ted Edwards needs to be replaced. Last month, the pleas of over 10,000 residents were ignored in favor of developers. Disregarding your constituents to that degree implies that you are unfit for an elected position.
We need Orange County to rally around one candidate that can get the job done. With that being said, I urge Timothy McKinney to drop from this race. District 5 is an important region in regards to higher education, economic development, and the sustainability of our environment. Mr. McKinney has proven that he is not qualified to handle this responsibility. Orange County is a family oriented county, and Tim has proven that he will not keep your children safe. Last year, a hose was needed to pump in a clean water supply for the students at Orange County Academy, and there is still no clean water supply to this day. This leaves a very dangerous situation for the children that attend this school.
On June 9th a letter was sent to Mr. McKinney in regards to United Global Outreach, the organization that Tim McKinney is CEO of and is responsible for Orange County Academy, stating he would be fined $100 a day for not complying with having a functional well for the students. Tim promises to fix the Wedgefield water crisis that our current commissioner has ignored for years, yet he cannot even fix the water issues under his own nose. 9-months ago Mr. McKinney said that this would be fixed and there are still no results, even with donations that have come in. A new well costs about $60k, while Tim receives not only a $50k salary, but has racked up $38K in liens against the organization for unpaid employee taxes, in addition to $27K owed in personal back taxes. Tim is also responsible for the hiring of a teacher at Orange County Academy, who is currently facing charges for lewd and lascivious conduct, as well as molestation. These acts allegedly occurred inside and outside of the school.
Since Tim has his degree from the “Professional Baseball Umpire Academy”, I’ll put it into terms he might find familiar: Ignoring a crucial water issue = Strike 1, back taxes and liens = strike 2, and hiring an accused pedophile for a school = strike 3—you’re out! Tim, you need to get your house in order before deciding to run for a position such as County Commissioner, and I urge you to drop out of contention for any elected office until that is done. If Tim McKinney cannot keep his own problems under control you can be assured he will be unfit to handle yours or mine as county commissioner.”
