" interesting that it could be considered a promotion. the williamson county tourism director is on the sitdo board. doesn't that make the new wc tourism director jon's boss? he was DEmoted, plain and simple. "

" Nice try doubling up post to coinfuse readers —

The SOUTHERN should check their facts —

According to the Dec. 6, 1994 MDR — Musgrave was appointed to the Williamson County Tourism Bureau in July, 1994 in replacement of a Board Member who stepped down.

Musgrave was again appointed to the Board, replacing Dorain Fletcher, after he passed away.

Homan's story quotes: "Musgrave said. "I served FIVE YEARS on the Williamson County Tourism Board before the position of director came open a couple of years ago."

√ Musgrave was again appointed to the Board, replacing Dorain Fletcher, after he passed away.

Homan's story quotes: "Musgrave said. "I served FIVE YEARS on the Williamson County Tourism Board before the position of director came open a couple of years ago."

When Bruce Troutman heard that Jon had published stories related to the Pavilion being in the black — Bruce replied that was, "Jon's version of the truth." Jon having served for five years on the Tourism Bureau Board is also HIS VERSION OF THE TRUTH...

And, apparently, that is all you need for the SOUTHERN to publish a story. " "

" musgrave is also the one responsible for hiring and turning over all the sound and promotions over to a convicted child predator. he has never been called out on this even though he knew about it. when an incident occurs it will be on musgrave's head. "

" The SOUTHERN should check their facts —

√ According to the Dec. 6, 1994 MDR — Musgrave was appointed to the Williamson County Tourism Bureau in July 1994 in replacement of a Board Member who stepped down.

That fact was published in the small story published in the MDR indicating that Musgrave resigned form the Tourism Bureau.

The SOUTHERN should check their facts —

According to the Dec. 6, 1994 MDR — Musgrave was appointed to the Williamson County Tourism Bureau in July, 1994 in replacement of a Board Member who stepped down.

Musgrave was again appointed to the Board, replacing Dorain Fletcher, after he passed away.

Homan's story quotes: "Musgrave said. "I served FIVE YEARS on the Williamson County Tourism Board before the position of director came open a couple of years ago."

√ Musgrave was again appointed to the Board, replacing Dorain Fletcher, after he passed away.

Homan's story quotes: "Musgrave said. "I served FIVE YEARS on the Williamson County Tourism Board before the position of director came open a couple of years ago."

When Bruce Troutman heard that Jon had published stories related to the Pavilion being in the black — Bruce replied that was, "Jon's version of the truth." Jon having served for five years on the Tourism Bureau Board is also HIS VERSION OF THE TRUTH...

And, apparently, that is all you need for the SOUTHERN to publish a story. "

" to "its a lie" - you have a lot of free time.

Go forward and do well Jon. Its always nice to see educated self motivated individuals rewarded for their work...as opposed to the illiterate Union hacks of Southern Illinois. "

" Who are we to believe with regard to this story?

The SOUTHERN, and John Homan? Or, Musgrave, who investigators have called a pathological liar?

The SOUTHERN has published several stories related to Musgrave's statements and accomplishments. But, none of that information which may be found in their previous stories made its way, or is explained, or even mentioned in this latest Homan pooh-litzer attempt. (Read the SOUTHERN's stories for yourself... type the titles in the search engine)

For example —

WHAT THE SOUTHERN PUBLISHED —
On Sunday, April 22, 2007 — The SOUTHERN published a story: "Williamson County Pavilion breaks even after years in the red."
Ashley Wiehle writes: "Williamson County Pavilion is celebrating a new color. After years of struggle, the little building that could is officially in the black. After being built in 2004, Williamson County Tourism Bureau officials anticipated it would take about four years for the structure to begin making a profit.
"That time has finally arrived," said Jon Musgrave, executive director of the Williamson County Tourism Bureau." — Wiehle's story continues — "The Pavilion is in use - typically by several groups - almost every day," Musgrave said. "Businesses often use the Pavilion as a meeting place, and civic groups and organizations rent the Pavilion for events and meetings as well. We have law groups that love to come out here for depositions," Musgrave said. "It's private, neutral ground. Being able to make a profit will mark a turning point in the Pavilion's history, Musgrave said. "The Tourism Bureau has been subsidizing us," Musgrave said. "The Pavilion has to get up and walk on its own."

WHAT THE TRUTH IS —
The SOUTHERN was wrong. The Pavilion was never in the black. The City of Marion claims ownership of the Pavilion — so as to, "save a sinking ship," as stated by Mayor Bob Butler. The City's move to save the sinking ship, also makes the multi-million dollar facility free of REAL ESTATE TAX dollars, skirting millions of dollars away from Unit II schools and every taxing body in the County. A huge problem, which no one admits to is, the loan (public bonds) issued to construct the Pavilion by the Williamson County Tourism Bureau never transferred to the City. The City of Marion ONLY HOLDS THE QUIT CLAIM DEED... not the DEBT. That piece of paper is just enough to fool the tax man. There are actually four deeds on file for the Pavilion. Four deeds since the building opened in August, 2004.

On April 29, 2007 — Musgrave posted the following statement at the Bureau's website — to perpetrate his lie: "After five months on the job it looks like the Williamson County Pavilion is operating in the black after years of red ink. Forget about fancy accounting, for our Board Members, the bottom line has always been the balance in the operating account of the Williamson County Events Commission, which oversees the Pavilion."

Follow up story —

WHAT THE SOUTHERN PUBLISHED —
Rather than admit that the SOUTHERN published a fictitious story or publish a correction from the outlandish Wiehle story from the spring of 2007 — pooh-litzer Homan spins a story which was published in the SOUTHERN on Tuesday, November 27, 2007: "Pavilion not out of red, but getting close."
Homan explains (?) in his press release — "The Williamson County Tourism Bureau continues to subsidize the operations of the Williamson County Pavilion, but those days may be numbered." — C.B. continues, — "Musgrave said the Pavilion, which opened in August of 2004, was financed and built by the Events Commission. The commission is an OFFSHOOT of the Tourism Bureau. The Tourism Bureau receives 2 percent of the County's hotel and motel bed tax and state funds totaling approximately $400,000 as an operating budget. The (illegal) "Commission" receives a 3 percent cut on the County bed tax. Right now, all our operating income goes to pay off our expenses," Musgrave said. "It will probably be another year before we're in the black."

On Monday, December 31, 2007 the SOUTHERN quoted Jon Musgrave: (Community Leaders make resolutions) "Williamson County Tourism Bureau and Pavilion Director Jon Musgrave said his personal New Year's resolution is to "get a life" and "spend some time outside the Pavilion" once in a while. As for his business concerns, Musgrave said he would like to see "a permanent solution" to the Pavilion's financial difficulties."

WHAT THE TRUTH IS —
In this new story, which claims the Pavilion is NOT out of the red, Musgrave states that the Pavilion was built and financed by the illegal "Commission." That is untrue. The illegal "Commission" was invented prior to the City receiving the Pavilion back when Bruce Troutman complained about paying the Real Estate taxes which were (partial assessment) correctly assessed for the Pavilion project.

You see, the "OFFSHOOT" as Homan calls it, the illegal "Commission," was made up of the same Board Members as the Tourism Bureau, who were first appointed by other entities, businesses and organizations — to the BUREAU. When pressed one night at a Marion City Council meeting about writing that the illegal "Commission" was an "OFFSHOOT," Homan said he, "ONLY WROTE WHAT THEY TOLD HIM... and that he didn't necessarily agree with it."

It was the Tourism Bureau who financed and built the Pavilion. Actually, the Williamson County Tourism Council... They changed their name along the way. Regardless, the Bureau holds the FIRST DEED (Deed Record 447 Page 144 / Filed 23 Nov 1998) on file. Jon Musgrave misspoke.

Even though the City of Marion gave the 50 or so parcels of land to the Tourism Council, it was determined that a new deed needed to be filed, naming the Bureau as the owners. So DEED NUMBER TWO (Deed Record 450 Page 665 / Filed 15 Nov 1999) was again shown gifting the land from the City of Marion to the Tourism Bureau.

The "Commission" or "OFFSHOOT" as Homan writes, receives DEED NUMBER THREE (Deed Record 463 Page 204 / Filed 04 Aug 2003). This is the first transfer of the paper deed (not any debt), or quit claim deed from one company to another... even though they are the same people. The illegal "Commission" is a charity, according to Lisa Madigan's office. As owners of the property however, taxes were assessed, and soon, along comes Captain Bob, who says the Pavilion is, "Broke... and would have gone out of business."

Does those statements from the Mayor sound ANYTHING like "almost out of the red?"

You see, the City accepted the next paper DEED, (Deed Record 468 Page 659 / Filed 19 Jan 2005) so that the properly assessed real estate taxes would vanish — much like stories in the SOUTHERN.

The illegal "Commission" receives the luxury of FREE TAX MONEY with NO OVER SIGHT... And, the SOUTHERN blindly writes these stories as if they are accomplishments or accolades. When, they tend to be more criminal.

As a charity, even though the City claims ownership of the building, improvements and property... the illegal "Commission" STILL claims ownership of the Pavilion along with depreciation values. Remember, the Bonds or Loan name the Bureau as owners until the year 2032... Now, the City claims the Building on paper... yet the illegal CHARITY, the "Commission" gets it all for FREE. Including, NOT having to pay its far share of real estate taxes...MILLIONS OF TAX DOLLARS... BECAUSE OF THIS SCHEME.

The Tourism Bureau (a private company) receives tax money, as stated in the Homan piece — BUT —

√ In their 20 plus year history the Tourism Bureau Board has NEVER recognized the Open Meetings Act. This action alone dwarfs the City of Marion's being discovered in more than 1,159 violations. None-the-less, this Board has violated the Open Meetings Act with total disregard. Essentially going through millions of tax dollars over the past 20 years without ANY OVER SIGHT whatsoever. And certainly, EVERY SINGLE THING THEY HAVE DONE comes into question... legally.

√ Puzzling is how the Tourism Bureau, a PRIVATE COMPANY, somehow managed to get millions of dollars worth of PUBLIC BONDS ISSUED to construct the Pavilion. Only the City of Marion or Williamson County Government (or in some instances... a charity) could have issued THOSE bonds... the PUBLIC BONDS. But, NO ONE VOTED FOR THE PAVILION... And why are no PUBLIC copies of those PUBLIC BONDS on file in the County Clerk's Office for any of the PUBLIC to see or challenge?

√ This Bureau actually spun-off a second Board, Homan identifies, who receives millions of tax dollars. A SECOND PRIVATE COMPANY, made up of the SAME PEOPLE now receive tax dollars... illegally... from a Board has NEVER acknowledged the Open Meeting Act.

√ Ask about things today at the Pavilion. Ask how ANY of the staff is paid or WHO they actually work for. Jon refers to "I" or "WE" when he inter-twines both the Tourism Bureau and the illegal "Commission" in his efforts to distort facts. Is Homan the only person who gets it? How did Homan determine who is speaking for which company?

So make of it what you will, with regard to the SOUTHERN's attempt at this latest Jon Musgrave story.

But, here are a few things to consider from today's Homan pooh-litzer —

√ Musgrave's claim of working on the Tourism Bureau Board for five years before his "promotion" to his current position, came to an end because he lied about Mayor Butler. Musgrave was offered a chance to resign or face impeachment from 100% of the Tourism Bureau Board when he was exposed in the media. As a result from his actions, during a meeting at the Herrin Civic Center, Musgrave chose to resign.

One of the Tourism Bureau Board members, Sue Douglas, appointed by the Herrin Chamber of Commerce said that removing Jon for his actions was one of the hardest things she ever had to do in her life.

Several months ago, Jon got the Board in trouble, and during one of the Tourism Bureau's Board Meetings County treasurer, Bruce Troutman, the SELF-APPOINTED Williamson County Member to the Bureau Board (and of course, treasurer for the illegal Williamson County Events Commission, Corporation) displayed photo-copies of newspaper articles published by the MDR which outlined Musgrave's scheme and had previously led to Musgrave's choice of resignation over impeachment.

Musgrave's short-lived stint with the Tourism Bureau most recently, prior to his "promotion" to his current role as leader of the Regional Tourism efforts once again left his mark. Once Jon learned that the Tourism Board was not going to re-new his employment contract, the "promotion" came along for Jon. As a way of showing thanks, Musgrave initiated a conversation with Ron Ellis, who is seeking a position as a County Commissioner. Musgrave explained to Ellis that the Tourism Bureau Board and illegal Commission were combined in a fraud which involved the City and County Governments, along with banking officials and others in the community. Musgrave pointed to the Pavilion and explained to Ellis that the Pavilion was mired in a real estate tax fraud involving millions of tax dollars.

And now, Musgrave in his "Promoted" position says — "People like dramatic history," he (Musgrave) said. "Look how popular Pirates of the Caribbean has been, for example..." — "In fact, there were several points along the Ohio River where pirates could be found. For us to be successful, we need to identify sites associated with ancient colonies of horse thieves, counterfeiters, outlaws and even pirates. We need to tie our colorful past with the present."

That sort of nonsense goes hand in hand with your, "Who needs fancy accounting, Jon."

Congratulations SOUTHERN — You REALLY did your home work on this one! "