Jailhouse Not Rocking

Submitted by WhitesCreek on April 18, 2008 - 1:42pm.

So we were wondering why the Jail is several months behind schedule... perhaps there is a clue in this photo.

Jailhouse Not Rocking

See Roane Gov. .com for more

See Roane Gov. .com for more info on the jail issue

WhitesCreek's picture
Interesting...

SITEWORX LLC

April 8,2008

Roane County Government
200 East Race Street
Kingston TN 37763

Re: Roane County Detention Center

To Whom It May Concern:

Please be advised that Siteworx,LLC has not been paid for labor and
materials incorporated into the above-captioned project for a
significant period of time. Siteworx entered into a subcontract with
J&M Incorporated. Siteworx has performed persuant to terms of the
subcontract agreement.

It is my understanding that Henson Construction Services Inc. has
failed to pay J&M for services provided. As all are aware,Henson has
alleged that certain geo-grid material was not installed persuant to
plans and specifications. This is accurate however the geo-grid
material was installed persuant to specific instructions and direction
of the Henson project superintendent.

I have requested meetings with all interested parties on numerous
occasions, all to no avail. Siteworx has made every effort to resolve
the dispute with J&M and Henson.

While performing and investigation concerning the geo-grid issue,it
has become apparent that significant design issues exist. I have made
every effort to address these issues in order to provide quality
construction for the citizens of Roane County. As a result, I have no
alternative but to request the payment and performance bond provided
by Henson and the payment and performance bond provided by J&M. We
would respectfully request that copies of the bonds be provided
immediately. By copy of this correspondence, we are notifying all
parties.

Thank you,

Brian Mullins
Siteworx LLC

Cc: Henson Construction Services
J&M Incorporated
Smith, Cashion&Orr, PLC

Mark N. Foster's picture
Smith, Cashion

Smith, Cashion & Orr, P.C. is a law firm that handles construction litigation.

WhitesCreek's picture
Two thoughts on this...

My question is: Can the County use this as a reason to cancel their contract with any of these people?

Or are the contracts so badly written that even non-performance isn't a reason for cancellation?

WhitesCreek's picture
Well,

I have had several conversations with involved parties and want to thank them for their trust.

As a result of several things, I have come to the conclusion that there are good guys and bad guys and guys who are chicken****...Ok, let me say that differently...There are guys who lack a certain courage and are willing to go along with some borderline stuff in order to get by because they are caught in the middle.

Whatever the ultimate outcome of all this, the old proverb keeps coming to mind that states, "A Fish rots from the head."

The head of this fish is our Roane County government, who bought in to an illconceived project and didn't meticulously . I'll have more as I think about what I have been told and what should be said.

There will be lawsuits filed very quickly and with some justification, it appears at this point.

Do you remember the Pine

Do you remember the Pine Ridge Road in Harriman that resulted in a lawsuit? Not sure if there is any connection with the jail project. Just a thought I had.

WhitesCreek's picture
Litigation is prevented by good contracts

The County was urged at public meeting to put clauses into the contracts that would cover performance issues and did not. They were also urged not to hire someone from the primary engineering firm to oversee the project and did anyway.

Whatever happens, nobody in County Government can say that they weren't strongly warned about making certain mistakes...and they did anyway.

Too bad these folks are playing with OUR money and not their own.

Jail House Rock

If you keep up with the RoaneGov.com site you will note that we broke this story several days ago, I have the hard copy letter that was sent if anyone needs a copy.

WhitesCreek's picture
I would love to have a copy

I would love to have a copy of the "hard copy" of the letter. Particularly if it has Brian's signature on it. Could I get it in pdf format for verification?

The version of the letter posted here was forwarded from the Roanegov site according to the sender.

The story here is not that the contractors are in dispute with the subcontractors, although that is a serious side story. The real problem is that the Current County government has executed a contract that leaves the County in a vulnerable position with no recourse in case of nonperformance on the part of the primary contractor...Who is supposed to be watched over by an employee of the primary contractor who is being paid by the County.

Got that?

Me neither!

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.