Barge seems like a nice enough guy and I appreciate his courage to oppose the Governor on the Charter School Amendment. Barge was absolutely correct in his opposition.

However, if you read the entire AJC atricle, there are some troubling facts that seem to dispute Barge's excuse for improperly billing the state.

The AJC article says in part:

In an interview with the AJC Wednesday, Barge said he was unaware that state budget officials had eliminated the vehicle allowance, which adds $587 a month to his state paycheck of more than $130,000 a year. He said his predecessors Kathy Cox and Brad Bryant received the stipend, which he believed to be “part of the superintendent’s salary package.”

“Our folks thought we were doing exactly as we were being guided to do,” said Barge, whose aides met Wednesday with state officials to discuss travel policy after the AJC inquired about the payments. “We’re not trying to defraud anybody of anything.”

However, records show that Barge’s staff was informed in November 2011 that he couldn’t claim the motor vehicle allowance because it was “discontinued in fiscal year 2006.”

Barge was told in writing he was not entitled to the reimbursement, yet he still billed the state for more than a year. That, my friends, is a serious lapse in judgement. Reimburse the state and don't let it happen again. Now lets move on and consider this Barge's "one free get out of jail pass".

The guy is being ripped by the Pro Charter school folks. I'm sure there is a large regional contingent involved, especially many in Paulding and Bartow.

I do not agree on ALL, but I do agree on most. And I feel as if John is passionate, Doing the best he can do in a political position, and worthy of less criticism.

I'm sure any conflicts will be managed adequately. He is above board and the best we have had in years, GOP or DEM....