The Jarrard and Davis investigation into the City of Blue Ridge’s City Council and Mayor continues.  The first stage, the inquiry was released on Feb. 2^nd  (read inquiry findings here). The inquiry found strong evidence for further investigation, which the law firm is now undertaking.  A date has not been set for release of the investigation’s findings.  There is a possibility that the investigation will uncover criminal wrongdoing and grounds for legal action.  Council Member Angie Arp instigated the Jarrard & Davis investigation, which began in December 2015.  She contacted the the firm, which specializes in providing legal services for counties and municipalities, to investigate the legality of Mayor Whitener being the Mayor of Blue Ridge.  Mayor Whitener agreed to the investigation and recommened to open the scope of the investigation to all Council Members and city government departments.

The most recent developments are that in mid-April, Jarrard and Davis interviewers met with several people, either City Council members or city employees, about allegations of questionable finances in one city department and use of city resources for personal gain or close associate’s personal gain.  Sources inside City Hall would not elaborate on who is being questioned or for what.

As recommended in the inquiry findings, the Mayor has, once again, provided numerous documents that she has legally declared her apartment above Town & Country Furniture as her place of residence since 2006.  In addition to the Certificate of Occupancy which was signed by the City of Blue Ridge, the Mayor also had to document legal residential occupancy when she had applied for Small Business Administration loans for her company.  During the course of establishing residency and occupancy for her apartment, there were many chances for authorizing government offices to declare her apartment illegal and none did.  In fact, she also had an apartment above her store when it was at 5821 Blue Ridge Drive.  Mayor Whitener said that prior to becoming Mayor, one part of her business was buying and remodeling homes.  But, she always wanted to have a permanent address and a permanent sense of home, so she built residences which she lived in above her stores.

In an earlier interview with FetchYourNews, Ken Jarrard of Jarrard and Davis, said that the investigation phase will take approximately six weeks, which calculates to a late May, early June release of findings.  When asked about the cost for the investigation phase, Mr. Jarrard said, “It will depend on what is discovered.  I would conservatively estimate that it will be an additional $10,000 to $20,000; but those numbers could vary significantly (more or less).”

Council Member Angie Arp instigated the Jarrard & Davis investigation, which began in December 2015.  She contacted the the firm, which specializes in providing legal services for counties and municipalities, to investigate the legality of Mayor Whitener being the Mayor of Blue Ridge.  Mayor Whitener agreed to the investigation and recommened to open the scope of the investigation to all Council Members and city government departments.

Related Posts:           Jarrard and Davis’ Blue Ridge Phase One Investigation Report (this is the report

                              that Jarrard and Davis gave to the City Council)

                             Jarrard and Davis Release Blue Ridge City Council  Inquiry Report

                             Score-Settling Has No Place in Government

                             Feb. 2 Council Meeting:  Council Inquiry, Water Bills and Street Repairs

              Alicia Stewart Praised in Jarrard & Davis Inquiry