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| Posted: 08 Oct 2007 16:47 |
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I live in a very small town, but not as small as it used to be. For the last 100 plus years, the same family has been sheriff. The current sheriff's daddy and granddaddy and so on were all sheriff, and what exists here is a slick, well-oiled political machine. But as our town grows and more outsiders come in, the foundation is beginning to crack. Here's an example, though, of the buffoonery that goes on in my town.
The state of Georgia had some watercraft that they used to police the creeks and rivers around here. Some how these personal watercraft wound up at the private dock on the sheriff's property. Word came up that people were beginning to nose around about the sheriff keeping state property at his house, so he ordered the small army of trustys that maintain his property to put them on trailers so they could be moved.
The deputy in charge of the property went to go get the truck and one of the prisoners decided to take the jetskis for a spin while the deputy was gone. He lost control and crashed into a neighboring dock, injuring himself and destroying the watercraft.
It turns out that the insurance the state has on the jetskis only covers them if a deputy is driving them, not a prisoner. So the owner of the dock sued for the $100,000 worth of damage that was done to his property. The owner of the dock was a county employee and he was immediately fired for 'poor performance' even though he had had great performance reviews for the last 25 years. Three days later, he died, and the lawsuit sort of went away.
There's more to the story, but here's my challenge. Top that story when it comes to local politics.
__________________1 TIMOTHY 1
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
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| Posted: 10 Oct 2007 14:51 |
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I knew it! NO takers!
__________________1 TIMOTHY 1
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
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| Posted: 10 Oct 2007 15:02 |
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mysterious death huh? Sounds like something from a TV show. Maybe it's time your town voted in a new sheriff.
__________________Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
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| Posted: 10 Oct 2007 17:17 |
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it wasn't mysterious, although the timing was...
Another piece of the puzzle was that one of the trustys on the detail that day was a violent repeat offender (a no-no for the trusty program). He was also overdue to be transferred to the state pen, but his paperwork had been delayed for 2 years because, in the words of the sheriff's office "He's a really good mechanic."
The sheriff's office later changed their tune and said he was the result of an "admistrative oversight".
__________________1 TIMOTHY 1
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
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| Posted: 10 Oct 2007 17:19 |
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Any of this make the news? Any chance the sheriff gets voted out?
__________________Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
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| Posted: 10 Oct 2007 18:17 |
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Yes it made the news, and the sheriff will probably get re-elected, because after all, his family has been sheriff since Reconstruction.
The good news is I have built a good chunk of my political cartoon career out of making fun of this guy.
Oh, the trustys were also being used to build houses for the sheriffs friends for free. Aint that something?
__________________1 TIMOTHY 1
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
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| Posted: 10 Oct 2007 19:19 |
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That sounds like a misuse of power if I've ever heard of it. Post your cartoons when you get a chance.
__________________Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
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| Posted: 11 Oct 2007 09:36 |
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zod69
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sounds like a bunch of stupid cops got caught doing, not corrupt, but unprofessional activities to say the least. how are these cops trained? they can't be very well trained if they got their jobs passed down to them. how is a deck worth 100,000$?? there are just sooo many things wrong with that story that i don't know where to begin. why the hell would this so called cop leave a prisoner unattended? no offence PM, but that story kinda sums up what is wrong with the south. that's awesome you make fun of that sheriff though.  i hope he doesn't start harassing you as "payback."
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| Posted: 11 Oct 2007 15:17 |
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Quote:
but that story kinda sums up what is wrong with the south I'd be careful casting the first stone in any specific direction Zod. I'm sure you have corruption in your neck of the woods too. The point is to broadcast it, not cover it up. We want politicians to know that we as citizens are watching, voting, and spreading the word.
__________________Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
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| Posted: 11 Oct 2007 17:04 |
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Quote:
but that story kinda sums up what is wrong with the south. oh yeah, nothing like that would ever happen in a place like Chicago (cough cough)
The sheriff's job didn't get passed on to him, (although one of Georgia's governors did leave the governorship to his son in his will. Great story, we had 3 governors for a while) he just coasted in on name recognition and that fact that the family was a big fish in a small pond.
The dock in question was a 30 foot private boat ramp that extended out into deep water. I saw pictures of it, It was demolished, it's a wonder the guy didn't die that hit it.
And Tim, the sheriff does know who I am. My brother works for him.I'm relatively famous here in town.
__________________1 TIMOTHY 1
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
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| Posted: 11 Oct 2007 17:07 |
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O brother, your brother works for him! That's got to be uncomfortable.
__________________Lucas McCain the Rifleman: A man doesn't run from a fight, Mark...but that doesn't mean you should go running *to* one, either.
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| Posted: 11 Oct 2007 20:35 |
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zod69
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AWKWARD
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| Posted: 15 Oct 2007 03:23 |
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UPDATE: It just came out today that the sheriff has used trusty labor to work on his ex-wife's house in a neighboring state. I can feel a cartoon coming on!
__________________1 TIMOTHY 1
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
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