Sunday, April 11, 2010

Warnock returns fire

Dorsey Carson, the ever-so-gracious attorney for Rudy Warnock, sent several invoices and other documents to me in defense of his client. I haven't had time to read them but am posting them here for your review. Warnock's rebuttal

Rudy Warnock presents invoices

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow. this response really smokes mary hawkins. is there some action that could be taken against the bogus "engineer" she hired to go after warnack?

Ironghost said...

Like anyone in Madison government has clean hands? Rudy's the guy Miss Mary wanted to replace Dick Hall, unless my memory is shot. That Reunion Interchange uber alles mentality seems to be biting back.

Anonymous said...

What costs overruns? Hey, in Misippi, it's perfectly legal and everybody does it, even the State.

Gotta love a politician.

Anonymous said...

This document is nothing new... I guess everyone went brain dead or didn't read the previous info Kingfish posted from Warnock's lawyer... same document!

John said...

Question: How much do other counties, such as Rankin, pay for engineering relative to road construction and design? Is there any other firm in MS that has received as much from a single county as Warnock?

Observation: By charging 7% for design instead of the 4.2% the state approves, he gets an extra 40% up front regardless of whether any construction is performed.

Anonymous said...

First of all, this doesn't look like an " audit" to me. This looks like a cost comparison without comparing the type of job or what was required for the job. This list doesn't look comparable to me.

I also have no sense of the quality, degree of difficulty,or the credentials of those involved.

I can "see" the completed project and compare that with other similar projects and project designs in other places and have often wondered if the superior designs elsewhere cost more or less or the same.

But, I can't tell if something was built to last or not just by looking at the " facade" of the project.

Anonymous said...

Re the audit:

The County Administrator, Donnie Caughman, had refused to conduct the comparison, then suffered a heart attack. While he was out on sick leave, Tim Johnson forced the staff to assemble the data and call it an audit. Arthur Johnston, the Chancery Clerk, knew nothing of the "report" or the plan to release this incomplete data and call it an AUDIT.

It is meaningless... some on the staff were forced to do the work, virtually overnight, so it is unsigned, undated, etc. they just simply compared what was paid to the engineer... no way to related apples to apples... i.e., they compared projects where design had just begun with projects that were already completed, etc. They should have separated engineer fees into "design" and "construction oversight" so the info could have been comparable. I don't guess they had the time to compare like sized and type projects such as comparable interstate interchanges, etc.

Anonymous said...

See analysis below in comparing the design cost of reunion interchange to the design costs of Hwy 463 Interchange. Warnocks fees as a percentage of construction for design of Reunion were 119 % higher than Hwy 463 Interchange. Both are SPUI (single point urban interchange) In fact, Rudy subcontracted the designer, Baker Engineering, of the Hwy 463 interchange to design Reunion... and, the plans match down to the cubic yards of concrete! So, the completed Reunion design is simply a "site" adaptation of the Hwy 463 interchange.

Altogether, Warnock was paid $3.2 million of the total $7M spent to date related to Reunion interchange. He paid Baker Engineering approximately $1.2M for their portions of the project, i.e., the most important portions.
=====================================

Comparative Analysis: Design costs for Hwy 463 Interchange Design Costs and Reunion Parkway Interchange

Background:

* Both interchange designs were SPUI (single point urban interchange)
* both located on I-55 less than 2 miles apart.
* Both interchange designs were by Baker Engineering.

Hwy 463 Interchange: the Engineering Design cost was 3.65%, or $1,075,698; based on actual construction costs of $29,500,000 (Note: Design and Construction cost data provided by Highway Commissioner Dick Hall's Office)

Reunion Parkway Interchange: the Engineering Design cost per the contract was 7.0%, or $2,703,545.58; based on FINAL engineering estimated construction cost of $38,622,079.71 . In addition, Warnock was paid an additional $360,116.00 for additional Reunion related engineering design services, for a TOTAL DESIGN ENGINEERING FEE of $3,063,661.58 for REUNION PARKWAY INTERCHANGE. So, the adjusted percentage for engineer fees paid Warnock for Reunion Design is actually 8%. Also, it must be pointed out that Warnock made over $700,000 extra by simply changing the estimated construction cost from $28M to $38M. This fee was the result of simply changing the estimated construction costs and didn't require one hour additional effort on the part of the Engineer.

BOTTOM LINE: Warnock and Associates design fees for Reunion Interchange are 119% higher than charged for design of Hwy 463 Interchange based on comparison of percentages of design fees compared to actual/estimated construction costs. In actual dollars paid for design the difference for the design of Reunion, which was a site adaption of the existing Hwy 463 plan, was $1,987,963 more than paid for design of Hwy 463 Interchange!

Totally amazing!

Anonymous said...

Again more information from mary hawkins and D.I. Smith but not facts. Warnock produced written facts. Let's see you produce these documents if this is true!! I know all of this is just petty politics!

Anonymous said...

I agree produce the documents! With all the lies out there why are we to believe more bogus allegations.

Dorsey Carson said...

KF, I think you may have inadvertently reposted the rebuttal rather than posting the attachment that I sent with the in-house hours summary and subcontractor invoices. Please post so that Warnock does not continue to be accused of hiding those (TV media was provided with these docs as well). Although they are not public documents and are irrelevant for purposes of actual cost to Madison County, they do show the significant amount of in-house work performed by professional engineers at Warnock & Associates--almost 4,000 hours to date.

By the way, that is a lot of detailed information gathered by just an average Madison taxpayer, "Anonymous" (from 9:34 a.m.). Thank you for forwarding Mary Hawkins' newest misleading allegations, which we will also be responding to. Perhaps you should run for county supervisor...or are you already one whose initials rhyme with D.I. Smith?

Anonymous said...

You go dorsey! If that is D.I. Smith it validates what I heard about him, that he is a spineless man! All I am saying is if you have FACTS D.I. Then post them!

Anonymous said...

Can someone tell me if D.I. Smith was elected or appointed?

Kingfish said...

Elected.

I posted what was sent. Resend and it will get up here.

As for who wrote the comment, doesn't really matter. I've learned from writing this blog that too often who you think is commenting isn't and its someone else. There are alot of well informed lurkers who pop up with detailed info or analysis so good luck. Could have been anyone.

Anonymous said...

Have we got a copy of the master service agreement between the city and his firm that he keeps referencing? I didn't see a link to it.

Dorsey Carson said...

Perhaps you are correct, KF, and that was not D.I. Smith posting, but it sure looks a lot like an e-mail that a little birdy forwarded to me that was previously sent from D.I.'s e-mail:

"Very helpful, useful and interesting info! See my comparisons below...

Hwy 463 Interchange: the Engineering Design cost was 3.65%, or $1,075,698; based on actual construction costs of $29,500,000

Reunion Parkway Interchange: the Engineering Design cost was 7.0%, or $2,703,545.58; based on FINAL engineering estimated construction cost of $38,622,079.71 . In addition, Warnock was paid an additional $360,116.00 for additional related engineering services, for a TOTAL DESIGN ENGINEERING FEE of $3,063,661.58 for REUNION PARKWAY INTERCHANGE.

BOTTOM LINE: Warnock and Associates design fees for Reunion Interchange are 91.8% higher than charged for design of Hwy 463 Interchange based on comparison of percentages of design fees compared to actual/estimated construction costs.

Totally amazing!

D.I."

Don't let them call you spineless, D.I. Come out and enjoy the sunshine that you are calling for.

Anonymous said...

Transparency Dorsey? You want tranparency from Smith? The same guy who schemed with Taggart to groove himself into office?

Go kick their asses Dorsey. It will be fun to watch them get pounded.

Anonymous said...

I'm tired of the he said-she said. Let's get somebody to look at EVERYTHING that doesn't have a dog in the fight. Could that be S. Pickering or does he have ties to some of these folks? Can a private citizen request a forensic audit? Enough of this. Let's look at the books and call it a day.

Anonymous said...

This all smells of more party politics! I bet that if the three republicans were all voting together there would be no audit of any sort, but because the two democrats have a say in where county money is being spent D.I. And Mary are demanding an audit!

Anonymous said...

I bet if the county turned over the checkbook to Mary all of this would go away!

Kingfish said...

Dorsey, let me school ya a little bit on this website. ;-) Here, we don't really care about who wrote what or who sent what. All we care about is the quality of information. These commentors are a tough crowd and will pick apart comments and posts. The author doesn't really matter.

Anonymous said...

Interesting. I see that Dorsey/Warnock are not refuting the allegations that were posted by Smith (or whomever), just the method of getting that info out. I believe Dorsey said they were "misleading" and not incorrect or even lies. I guess my question is, are those the facts re the Reunion interchange? Queen Mary def has some stones, but I seriously doubt she would get on TV and call Warnock a cheat simply because she didn't like his politics, esp given Rudy's propensity to sue. Again, is it possible to get an outside (read disinterested) party to really shed some light on what's going on in Stepford? Is it really that hard to figure who's right in this catfight?

Kingfish said...

Looking through the invoices what I see is a bunch of wetland permitting and delineation. Don't know how that should be interpreted but it is the common factor.

Anonymous said...

Not to be too harsh, but all of these invoices remind of an old saying, "If you can't dazzle them with your brillance, at least baffle them with your bull..."

I guess I'm most surprised that Dorsey is coming on a blog pleading Warnock's case. WTH difference does it make at the end of the day if everyone here buys it? Or disagrees with it.

Anonymous said...

Has anybody added up the invoices in this paperwork and compared it to what was totalled in the "audit"? Or for that matter, extra gold stars for comparing the invoices with the claims docket, which is online.

Anonymous said...

Why hasn't anybody in Madison, city or county, or MHB herself filed suit? Short of that the old adage 'action talks, bullshit walks' comes to mind.

Anonymous said...

Uh-oh. Looks like S. Pickering has joined the fight.

Anonymous said...

I've yet to figure out what it is about Warnock that the Supervisors feel is worth all this fight? It seems THEIR professional interests(i.e., getting re-elected) would be better served by getting rid of him and hiring someone less controversial. Engineers are a dime a dozen in the tri-county area!



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.