Harold Bost 'sets the record straight' re: Residency, reason for Commission resignation
During the 2010 election former County Commissioner spearheaded an effort to oust Commissioner's Eric Maxwell and Jack Smith. During the heated election, and after, numerous seemingly coordinated verbal attacks were made against Bost including one continual theme of calling Bost a "disgraced former commissioner". Bost resigned in 2001 shortly after winning his re-election bid and taking office.
Per Bost members of the Commission were spreading "lies" saying it was discovered he was actually a resident of the state of Florida and that he was forced to resign to avoid public exposure.
During the Oct. 14th Commission meeting Chairman Jack Smith said during the public meeting that (paraphrasing) "Harold Bost is a disgraced commissioner having resigned from office because he was not really a resident of the county where he was elected".
During public comment at the Dec. 9th meeting Bost came in with a folder of proof to show he was a resident of Fayette County. He provided copies of his voting records, his tax records, his homeowner's exemption records and other proof to show he had been and was a resident of Fayette County.
He stated "You guys and some of your friends have been stating for a long time that some of your special interest group found out in early 2001 that I was a resident of the state of Florida and that they forced me to resign my seat on the Fayette County Commission. First, let's get something perfectly clear. You, nor any member of your special interest group can force me to do anything."
He said the "BS" they had been spreading was "nothing but a big bold face lie."
Commissioner's Eric Maxwell and Robert Horgan stared off into space while Bost spoke. Chairman Jack Smith appeared to be following along in the booklet Bost provided, as did Herb Frady.
At the end of his rebuke of the commissioners Bost added, "Be forewarned. You now have the facts. If you continue those lies - be prepared to be hit with a slander law suit."
Per Bost he had on previous occasions informed the Commission of the truth regarding his residency status.
Included in the folder of information was a two page written explanation of his decision to run for office, then to later resign.