First, I believe that the Bauer Road land deal is fair and fulfills a public recreation need. [In the interest of full disclosure, Neal Nash at one-time was an investor in this paper when it first merged with the Florida Sun. He got out of the paper in Fall 2002. I’ve never been to his hunting camp.]
There is a danger when powerful county officials mix personal business with county business. And the County Commissioners need to decide how important appearances are to county government and public trust.
The reality is that without a complete audit of George Touart’s finances and those of his businesses and family members we will never know if he benefited personally from any of the vendors, contractors and business owners who came before the county for contracts, permits and variances since he was hired.
In those business transactions was George treated the same as any other person or was he given special treatment because he was the county administrator? Unless a vendor, contractor or businessman comes forward and says he was pressured by Touart then again we’re left with no evidence of wrongdoing.
In the end, the BOCC and the public are left with accepting George Touart’s word that he did nothing wrong – other than not disclosing his relationships with Neal Nash. Will it be enough? Should it be enough?
