Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Where are the county commissioners?

While Iredell commissioners found time this week to weigh in on the issue of gay marriage, they haven't been so forthcoming about their opinions on a county sheriff's deputy being sued for sexual harassment.

In fact, only one of five county commissioners – interestingly, the only female on the board – has responded to Report questions about whether the board of commissioners would consider calling for an external investigation of the potential criminal allegations made in the sexual harassment lawsuit filed this week by Suzanne Wick against Deputy Ben Jenkins and Sheriff Phil Redmond. For the full story, click here.

Commissioner Renee Griffith did not say whether she would support an external investigation, saying only that she planned to look into the matter further once she returns from being out of town next week: “When I get back and have some time to talk to the count [sic] attorney, the sheriffs [sic] department, other commissioners, research my responsibility as a commissioner, and read the law suit I will be happy to comment on the case,” Griffith said, adding that she doesn't have enough information right now to make a public statement.

Iredell County Commissioner Ken Robertson is reportedly out of the country, which is apparently why he did not respond.

In addition to Commissioners Steve Johnson, Marvin Norman and Frank Mitchell, Iredell County Manager Ron Smith did not respond to Report questions.

In an e-mail to the Report this weekend, Griffith said: “I don't want to rush to any judgement about the Sheriff department or mrs watt [sic]. I think is [sic] important that this be handled appropriately.”

135 comments:

Anonymous said...

So, let's see. They have time to decide about guys living with guys and girls living with girls but they are apparently ok with a married deputy wanting to have anal sex with a woman who is married to someone else or at least not married to him. I see. This makes perfect sense.

They have had the better part of a week to get their stories straight. They could have come up with some sort of statement in under an hour. "We take this serious and are looking into it" might have sufficed.

3 of these clown's spots are up for election. I would suggest they go. I believe Frank Mitchell has other ambitions. Since he obviously can't handle a county, it's obvious he should not be promoted. Time to retire. Sister Griffith can't handle her own home finances. Time for her to go. And wasn't she driven all over the county by sheriff's folks? Buh-bye. Roberson is just an ignorant blowhard. Just another good old boy. Ron Smith won't say a damn thing because he has a paycheck to protect.

Gay marriage? What a joke. Another bait and switch. Gay marriage is starting wars, adding to the home foreclosure crisis, the economy issues, and on and on. Yeah, it's really bringing down the family too. Every time a girl kisses another girl a family in North Dakota breaks up.

The commissioners need to spend a little more time in the sheriff's office and a little less time in everyone's bedroom, unless it's the sheriff's and Ben Jenkins'.

Anonymous said...

Only one of the county commissioners bothered to reply. Why did these people want the position? Governing local officials who use county funds would certainly be a task of theirs as would a concern for public safety.

The details of the current law suit should be enough to create concern and a request for an investigation into the validity of the accusations. Anyone can file a lawsuit and an investigation would support the claims or clear the officer. What reason would the commissioners have for not agreeing that an outside investigation be requested? There would be no commitment other than to the citizens of Iredell County whom they were elected to serve. Apparently they have commitments above the public and within their circle.

I'm not sure which is worse, the silence of most of them or the half assed attempt of one of them to respond. Griffith can't even commit to the idea of an investigation and will look into when she gets back in town. (At her convenience I suppose.)The story and documents were posted in the R&L on Wednesday. It took me 15 minutes to read the article and documents. She has had time to be cute and read a prayer calling it an historical document. Goody for her.

Even more interesting is the story on April 19, also in the R&L where she is seen standing in front of a sign that says prevent child abuse. The article goes on about how she is horrified by child abuse and doesn't even believe in paddling.

http://www2.statesville.com/news/2011/apr/19/iredell-county-ar-961534/

Let's bring this to now. Did Mrs. Wick not come to the ICSO to report the abuse of herself and her children when she allegedly was sexually harassed and stalked and threatened? And yes Renee, her last name is Wick, not Watts as you so nonchalantly referred to her as.

Finally, Renee Griffith said she didn't want to "rush to any judgement about the Sheriff department or mrs watt" and thinks it needs to be handled appropriately.

Apparently appropriately means that she doesn't want to rock the boat with her other elected officials. Guess that is why she needs to talk with the county attorney, the sheriffs department and other commissioners. Just what we needed, another career politician in the making that lacks the ability to think for herself.

I think the silence of most and the non commitment of one makes it clear that political survival is the priority of our current county commissioners.

Anonymous said...

Good thing she is going to look into Mrs. Watts law suit. Really, Renee? Disgraceful. You can't even get the woman's name right.

I know our Sheriff or Commissioner Griffith will do it, so let me. "I am so sorry for the lack of courtesey and respect our county officials have given to you Mrs. Wick. The way you were treated by them after you were abused, is just embarassing. Please realize the rest of us in this county are not like them.

Anonymous said...

If all these allegations are true,and it appears that there is some merit or the ICSO would not have moved Jenkins around, then the Sheriff should resign immediately and any commissioner that tries to protect him only shows a lack of the conservative values which they purport to have. Obviously, for the protection of county coffers, they will not agree to the allegations because ultimately the case boils down to the alleged victim wanting money for her situation.

Anonymous said...

All it would take is for the commissioners to call the District Attorney's Office and request an investigation.

Mr. Stay in your lane said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Redmond isn't going to do the right thing, he never does. It is up to the county commissioners to take control of this situation before Redmond costs the county more embarrassment and money.

Anonymous said...

Renee Griffith is a joke. I would compare her to Barak Obama. He wasn't vetted and neither was she. A lot of people knew about her but everyone was afraid to speak out.

If she keeps breaking the law then Iredell County risks being sued. Ask Forsyth county how that worked out for them.

I would give her a pass on the house foreclosure thing but she was loaning her campaign money in 2010 at the same time she was skipping house payments. NOT responsible.

This is a fact and can be verified on the Iredell Board of Elections website.

The reason why she will not ask the county attorney to look in to this case if because she is beholden to King Phillip. He backed her election and she was an outspoken Redmond supported in 2010. Will she dump Redmond now that its politically convenient or will she be loyal to ole Phill? time will tell....

Anonymous said...

Do I understand correctly that the Sheriff has known SINCE 2009 that this guy is a pervert and power abuser and still continued to keep him on our payrolls?

Anonymous said...

You know what, this has got to be about the most inept, spineless, ignorant, and arrogant bunch of fools ever elected to office in this county. I looked at that "class photo" on the news the other night, and while I've seen it before, that night, I thought, what a bunch of incompetents. They are just looking out for how they look and their next election. There has been issue after issue with the sheriff's office and there has been plenty of money wasted in oh, so many ways. Madame Griffith, Miss Tea Party Herself, sure doesn't seem to get it. For someone who is part of a movement that wants to stop government waste, she should have been on this like a razor on Jenkins's balls.

You can't tell me that there wasn't some rumblings of trouble in paradise long before the lawsuit was filed. I'll bet if something had been done and Jenkins had been fired and this had been dealt with correctly, it might not have come to a lawsuit. Hell, I'll bet the commissioners and Smith even knew a lot more about it then they are letting on and now the taxpayers are going to be on the hook. Insurance you say? Guess what? Just like when you make a claim on your car or homeowners insurance, your rates are going up. And God knows how many more victims are coming out from under the woodwork.

I'll even go you one better. I'd say the prosecutor's office needs to be jettisoned. Even if these jerks get busted, hell will freeze over before they come to trial. How long have we been waiting on Crone and Adams? It took less time to round up Josef Mengele.

Anonymous said...

Gay marriage. Interesting. Let's see who responded. The standard bearer for all things family, Renee Griffith. I can only presume she is a fan of Rick Santorum and even if he's not her man, we keep hearing these days that sex is for procreation only. Making babies. So that precludes blow jobs, anal sex, and sitting on one's face, clean-shaven or not. It also, as I recall, includes a certain set if commandments that mention in passing something about not covering the other guy's wife. I would think the head-mistress of a Christian school might be a little more firm and steadfast in her beliefs and values. She is an elected official not the hostess at a "waffle" house.

Anonymous said...

Meanwhile, as the county commissioners do their investigation, Deputy Jenkins looks for that next special girl. Way to go commissioners. Nice to know you are doing your jobs.

Jaime Gatton said...

Readers,

Iredell County Commissioner Ken Robertson contacted me this morning. He said he did not receive a copy of the e-mail I sent to commissioners late last week. To his credit, Robertson has always been very good about responding to Report questions.

He said said this morning that he cannot comment on the lawsuit because commissioners are not allowed to discuss personnel or litigation.

Anonymous said...

Jamie, show us how much each county commissioners makes as commisioner

Anonymous said...

It is irrelevant how much they make. They signed up for the job, not the paycheck. They need to do their job.

Paying attention said...

Nice attempt to stay in your lane Ken, but Griffith already said she would comment next week. So much for that attempt to duck out on your job. Perhaps you should ask to borrow Griffith's balls since yours are MIA.

Anonymous said...

I think you mean coveting, 12:50. Whatever.

Jaime Gatton said...

Iredell County Human Resources just sent the following information regarding county commissioners' pay:

Steve Johnson, chairman of the board, receives $10,917.14 a year and $6,240 in travel-allowance pay (taxable).

The other commissioners - Marvin Norman, Ken Robertson, Frank Mitchell and Renee Griffith - receive $10,137.14 a year and $5,472 in travel-allowance pay.

Hope that helps!

Anonymous said...

I find it interesting that these fine folks were all FB friends last week before any of this broke. I haven't had time to look this week. I understand that this is all professional courtesy and that but really, it just doesn't look good. Kind of like the King of Price being pals with the sheriff.

This isn't the first serious allegation about the sheriff floating around, it isn't even the second or third. This isn't even a case of where there is smoke there is fire. This makes the Chicago Fire and Mrs O'Leary's cow look like a wastebasket fire. By the time this is over, this county is going to be in the dumpster and our great-grandkids are going to be paying the bills. Even worse, no one is going to trust a county official for generations to come. The commissioners need to step up and put a stop to this now. Or they all need to resign.

Scott said...

Griffith is an empty suit...has been from the beginning.

She'll get back to you when someone explains all that stuff to her.

Anonymous said...

Is this a sheriff's department or a swinger's club? I would like to know. If it's the latter, we should know who can be a member and what the requirements are and why we are paying for it.

How many of the commissioners are members?

Just asking.

Anonymous said...

I say we make up a form, "Application to Join the Iredell County Sheriff Sex Club" and we all fill it out with our "nicknames" or alternate ID's, like "Buck Nekkid" or "Blue Velvet." We then mail them to the Sheriff and the county manager's office, all anonymously, of course. It could include things to check like do you like anal sex, sitting on faces, having your balls shaved or not, you get the idea? How about some clever person making up a form to send to the sex club so we can all get in on the fun and keep them all busy up there in Statesville? Why should Phil and Ben get to have all the fun. Spice up your marriages. Hell, some of them clearly think they are hot. Look at that photo of the commissioners.

I'm Pissed said...

Please join me at the next commissioners meeting.

Anonymous said...

The real reason that none of the Commissioners will comment is that the Sheriff is the most influential politician in Iredell County. He garnered support for everyone on the Commission. You think for one minute that any of them are going to speak out against him. Get real. Every politican wants another term. Why do you think the DA has pause in dealing with issues within the department?

Anonymous said...

Ooh, ooh, I wanna be Scarlett O' Barra. I call dibs on that one.

Stay in your lane said...

We need not bother with this situation, lets just stay in our lane.

Capt. America said...

All the commissioners are hoping this will fizzle out. Please keep it in your minds when you go to the polls. I am not a big fan of Houpe, but I will vote him in if it will teach these bastards a lesson. This is our county, not theirs.

Anonymous said...

I am not voting for any current commissioner. Period. End of discussion. I don't care if the Good Lord himself descends down at the next commission meeting and puts his stamp of approval on the whole bunch of them. This stuff has gone on LONG ENOUGH. We keep having one scandal after another and it dies down until the NEXT ONE surfaces. Oh, please. And when the next bunch come up for reelection, I don't care what they do or say, I'm not voting for them either. This crap has gone on during their watch. We've got a bunch of modern day Nero's fiddling while Iredell burns because a bunch of jackasses can't keep their sticky fingers out of the treasury, their pants zipped, their egos checked, and their brains engaged. They are not putting us first.

Well, guess what, I suddenly find that I have an interest in local politics and no use for the lot of them.

When and where is that next commission meeting?

Gil Lette said...

I see that Renee Griffith tried to dodge J.T. Smiths questions on the R&L by going into a private conversation. After being called back out in a public forum, she has yet to respond. I don't believe it will do you any good to get J.T. off to the side to pet and it will take someone a whole lot smarter than you to get over on him. He may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer but he isn't a wishy washy spatula like yourself either.

Ken Robertson was out of town keeping it in his lane and couldn't comment. Probably best anyway since his comments are usually self serving and arrogant.

Where are these commissioners going that they don't have internet or telephones? I was thinking that www. stood for world wide web. Maybe they have gone Osama with Redmond, three sets of eyes blinking in the back of a cave in Wilkesboro.

Don't try to tell me they aren't keeping up with all of this while out of county. They are only waiting for the dust to settle. Got some news for you, I don't think even the great Redmond can make this one disappear. There continue to be many consistent rumors about criminal charges as well.

Now we have two commissioners that have admitted to being too busy and out of town, but the others have been right here the whole time. Guess they don't have to worry about shaving the boys since they obviously have nothing to shave.

Our entire county government has been comfy for too long. Time for a complete change over, time for some protests, time to make their days as full of aggravation as ours are.

Ray Zerburns said...

Where are the county commissioners? Better question, where is Redmond? Probably hiding like usual with that red and white striped shirt and matching hat. Wait that's Waldo. This Wednesday will be seven days since he has gone into hiding and not available for comment. Usually when a dilemma hits he has something to do that is related to a hospital. Who will it be this time? I have concerns that it will be him, unable to remember his name but still remembering how to wink at nurses with tobacco juice running down his lip.

So if Redmond doesn't show up the Sheriffs Office will need a spokesman. Who could that be. Maybe Dowdle since he is the Chief Deputy and second in charge. If so that could be entertaining. Remember when a suspect ambushed officers and they were forced to return fire? That was on a Friday night. Dowdle told the press that everything was fine and the suspect was taken into custody. The next day it was announced that the suspect was pronounced dead on the scene. The highest ranking law enforcement officer in Iredell County is a fugitive from the press and the second highest at the department can't get his story straight. That's just another day of biness at ICSO.

What would you expect from Dowdle who to my knowledge has never made an arrest on the street? The Sheriff needed a moron to run and do as told without thinking, so he chose Dowdle. Good thinking Phil, great person to have your back.

Anonymous said...

I would like to respectfully suggest that when we all respectfully attend the commission meeting, we all bring a can of shaving cream and respectfully present the commissioners with each can, one at a time, respectfully, of course. That way they will have plenty on hand for all the ball shaving and what have you. Maybe we ought to throw in some whipped cream for the pleasure of the non-indulgers in that particular "art". There ought to be enough pleasure to go around.

Anonymous said...

This has got to be part of some brilliant tourism campaign. Come to Iredell County, the Mysogyny Capital of North Carolina. We will make millions. They will come in droves from Thailand.

Shay Vingsack said...

One thing is for sure. While Redmond isn't talking everyone else needs to be. He is the master of rebound and if left alone long enough he can put a spin on anything.

People need to come forward. Everyone who has been threatened like Mr. Fox. People who have been the victim of extortion. Officers who have had to do things things like stop at an abandoned house so somebody can run in and get a sack of money. Jump in and help me name a few of the things that have gone on consistently over the years.

Anonymous said...

Who is Houpe and who is Brater? I have let sleeping dogs lie being a busy person and not paying much attention to anything beyond the status quo. Now I see the error of my ways. These are the only 2 names I'm even remotely familiar with and I'm ashamed to say not much. What are their stands? Who is running against who?

Anonymous said...

There seems to be a pattern of arrogance, disrespect, and a lot of questionable behavior across the board within a lot of county offices. Ok so we have had one nut case on here bitching bit I've been treated rudely in the child support office wjen I had a question about my kids support and my ex was abusive too and they acted like it was my fault.

I'm not surprised about any of this. Big fat old deputies pull over my girlfriends and look down their tops. They chat for a few minutes then they get let go with a warning. Sound familiar to anyone?

Anonymous said...

According to their website, the next Commissioner's Meeting is next Tuesday, April 3, at 7:00 at the County Government Center, 200 South Center Ave, Statesville. Too bad we don't have enough time to get a permit and picket. I think all citizens should jam this meeting.

Anonymous said...

I don't think you need a permit to sit there and quietly hold up small signs, say the standard piece of printer paper or notebook paper. Or to hold up a can of shaving cream.

The point is that if enough people come and silently protest, they have to pay attention. Someone also needs to get the TV cameras there.

Wonder if old Billy Pope will be praying at this one? I don't want to be close to that one. Lightening is going to show up one of these days. Somebody is going to complain about his bullshit soon to the state bar. You can only push the law so far.

Anonymous said...

We don't need a permit to attend a meeting. A crowd trying to get in the door is as good as a picket.

Anonymous for now. said...

I have tried to keep quiet, but can no longer sit by and watch this.

The media has made a circus out of nothing and it is due to the work of a handful of people with axes to grind. Sheriff Redmond and ALL of his officers have and continue to provide professional services to Iredell County.

I have personally known Sheriff Redmond my entire life and he is an upstanding citizen and wonderful person who is appreciative of the time he has had the honor of being Sheriff.

He holds his men to the same high standard that he adheres to himself. I have heard the same rumors you have heard over the years; Drug sales. Firearms being sold from the evidence room. Gambling kickbacks. Womanizing. Drunk driving. Extortion. Sealed Federal indictments. Moonshine running. Sexual harassment. Threats and so much more. I have heard it all and seen it written here but it is all lies made up by a handful of people that are jealous of the good job he is doing and the longevity of his position as Sheriff.

I encourage Phil to step up and face all of these allegations and finally lay them to rest. He will have my support and the support of the vast majority of the citizens of Iredell County who respect him for all he has done and accomplished since being elected as out Sheriff.

Anonymous said...

Nice to hear from you phil. Now go crawl back under your rock. The vast majority of citizens have had enough. You kept your boy Tommy on too long and you've still got Clean Balls Ben on board. How is it you're running a clean ship? I think it's time for you to go down with the titanic pal. You are the talk of every woman in the county and we all agree, this is not 1912 but you are sure acting like it is. Haven't you heard? We got the vote.

Pissed Off said...

Funny, if he is such a great guy why don't you post your name. The reason you don't is becuase you know these accusations are true. Somebody commented on this situation in a past article by Ms Gatton. Low and behold, its true. Fuck Phil Redmond and the commissioners. They are all shit bags for continuing to insult Miss Wick.

Anonymous said...

Funny how Sister Griffith has time, energy, and consideration to slap her damn campaign signs all over the place. They were up about every ten feet when I was out today. Good luck with that sweetheart. You're toast.

Larry Green said...

I think we still have time for a permit. You need to provide 7-10 days notice and they don't specify business days or calendar days

Anonymous for now said...

To the person at 4:11. Deputy Adams and Deputy Jenkins are both examples of what I said about the media making a circus out of nothing. And I don't think the women vote matters much considering the only women that have said anything about Sheriff Redmond are the few trying to make a living by ruining his name.

To the person at 4:17. I didn't post my name because I don't want to endure the same type of mob mentality attack that others have received. The group of people representing Sheriff Redmond and his men is way larger and more organized than anything a handful of people wanting to start trouble could ever get together. We will step out together when the time is right. Also just because some fool posted information on here before doesn't make accusations valid now.

To the person at 4:48. Your assessment of Mrs. Griffith is very harsh and unfair. She is a stand up representative for the people of Iredell County, a strong voice in the Tea Party and a fine example of Christian leadership.

Larry Green. You get whatever permits you need to do whatever you have to but this will not go in the direction that you are trying to steer it. The truth is the truth and it cannot be changed. I commend you for posting your name if it is your real name, but it still doesn't excuse the personal vendetta that you obviously have for Sheriff Phil Redmond. I stand by his reputation and character as a fine Christian man who puts Iredell County first and his own concerns second.

I really don't intend to exchange banter with a bunch of redneck neanderthals so don't expect another reply. It isn't deserved.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous at 6:17

Willful blindness is absolutely no excuse. Many people, including people within his administration, know the true facts, including his knowledge of crimes committed by his officers, yet doing nothing. This includes fake diplomas (convicted in federal court), stealing guns (pending in superior court), stealing evidence (not charged yet), sexually assaulting a domestic violence victim (federal civil court), among others.

Anonymous said...

all you need to watch the original Walking Tall. Not the new version with the Rock, the real one.
This is exactly what needs to happen here. Where is our Buford Pusser?

Go Redmond said...

Women are always tring to get cops in trouble. So what if Ben said something that wasn't appropriate. She just needs to shut up and go on with life.

Anonymous said...

Dear Go Redmond:
nice excuse. Women are always trying to get all men in trouble. The difference is that most honorable men know how to deal with this. Redmond and his crowd do not. And its not ALL cops. This is not an indictment against everyone in law enforcement. This in indictment against just the kind of cops you describe. So you made the argument for me. Now, stop playing on the computer and go sell some lawn mowers.
PS. I like the Buford Pusser reference above. I think we all know who our Buford Pusser is....two more years!!

Anonymous said...

It is time to clean house. DO NOT vote for any incumbent county commissioner. Ask the others how they feel about this. If they ride the fence, do not vote for them.
If they seem sincere about getting facts, they are the one to vote for.
Griffith and Robertson MUST GO as they are Redmond supporters. Redmond helped Griffith get elected.

Anonymous said...

Oh, so Go Redmond is back. How's it going Phillip? I see Darren is making public comments in the fishwrap. How is it a stolen truck with a dead body sits at a truck stop for 3 months? Too busy shaving your balls and harassing the ladies? No crime scene tape around it either according to the news tonight. Shit and those old ladies were bitching about their pond smelling last summer. Another fine example of ICSO doing its job. Crackerjack job there boys and girls. I bet they could smell that one in Georgia when they cracked that baby open.

1:27, I don't know how you define high standards but the litany of crap you rattle off is pretty much established as fact. There is some real taint on the sheriff's office and it didn't start with Jenkins and it won't end with him either, not by a long damn shot. Hell, it won't even end with ICSO if this plays out the way it looks like it's going to play out. You got a bunch of pansies on the commission who wouldn't say shit if they fell into a bucket of it and one of them, Robertson, can only tell you what a great ass stand up guy he is. Douchebags, the lot of 'em.

High standard indeed. Are your balls freshly shaven? That's it. Oh, and have you covered your ass. Then we're good.

Now, onto 6:27, somehow, I think you're Go Redmond or his cousin, I mean girlfriend. So let's take it point by point. The only people making this a circus are the ones thinking with their dinks. NOTHING, you say? NOTHING? A guy didn't get demoted for just talking dirty. It's always the woman's fault isn't it? Guy beats the shit out of his wife and it's "Look what you made me do." WTF is the matter with you? A lawyer doesn't just file a lawsuit these days for shits and giggles. Haven't you heard? If it gets tossed, the losing side has to pay costs. It costs money to bring a suit. A lot of money. Oh, and that shit about women voting. Congratulations, you've just pissed off half the population of this county. Women are trying to make a living ruining the sheriff's name so their vote doesn't matter much? HYSTERICAL! First off, the only person ruining Redmond's name is Redmond and he just can't seem to help himself. Secondly, there is this little thing called a secret ballot and unless there is some major voting fraud going on (and I see that's up for discussion in Statesville) women's votes get counted and you cannot stop them from voting. I daresay they will be out in droves this fall.

As for you name, see the above. And you are a coward. And for the legions of Phil fans, that is laughable. People know what horse to back and Redmond is no longer the right horse. It's time for the glue factory for that little stallion. He needs to be gelded. Women are done and any man that respects and cares for women are done as well.

Renee Griffith is another fine example. She can't even make her house payments. Oh, yes, the fine doyenne of the tea party. Now she wants out under the mortage bailouts that President Obama came up with. Yeah, that's working for me. Hypocrisy, I'm all for that. Oh, and that praying at meetings? Goodie for her. She has lied and played caring Christian to several people I know then never followed up on what she promised to do and she "always calls back." She's about as Christian as a fire ant. But then, that's the main tactic of the tea party, if you can't come up with facts, dazzle them with religious bullshit.

Larry Green is a fine pastor who does not act like a hypocrite and has done more for folks behind the scene that no one will ever know about and he doesn't go around bragging about it and he doesn't go around thumping his chest on blogs or having his sychophants doing it for him.

Anonymous said...

One more thing, dear apologist, if you can't make a cogent point, resort to name-calling. Typical loser tactic, 6:27. You're a Greek God, Phillip, you have it all. Better get back into that tanning booth. Your facade is starting to fade. You need to fix that crooked grin and have some more work done. Time has not been kind. Maybe you and Benny boy could get a 2 for 1 deal. Girls like a better looking dude.

Anonymous said...

This woman, Griffith, is a principal of a Christian school? She has a number of spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and God only knows how many other errors in her email.

This makes me feel a little better about the public school system. I think Renee needs to study with her students a little more.

Anonymous said...

Ahem. Research her responsibility as a commissioner? She's been in office how long? Shouldn't she know that already? In fact, shouldn't she know it when she files to run for office? They don't even have to try to look stupid, do they? It's just natural.

Anonymous said...

I am not sure if Commissioner Griffith is ignorant or lazy. She will have to explain which one.

You would think a Commissioner of Iredell County and a principal of a school would make certain she is representing herself well. I guess she doesn't need to know how to spell as long as she can pray.

I do know this. I heard Bill Brater on the People's platform this morning (WSIC 1400). The man said he only planned to run for two terms. He said politicians should not run multiple terms, because the wrong person could hold office for an extended period of time. That is pretty much what we are seeing now.

Brater seems like an ethical and moral man. He has said he would address public issues in a public meeting, so Redmond would have to face the music for his actions. Now wouldn't that be nice right now.

Griffth wants to wait for the this whole thing to blow over, then go on and talk about public prayer.

In other words she talks the talk but does not walk the walk.

By her failure to act, she has victimized Wick all over again. She pretty much has non verbally said F_____ you Miss Wick.

I am tired of elected officials in Iredell county using religion to gain votes. I guess they depend on relgious people to follow them blindly. And unfortunately they do.

Take Redmond. He wants to make sure the words "God save the state of North Carolina" stays in the court room, while his deputies ask victims if they like anal sex.

Sound a little bit odd church goers? Wake up! I am a christian, but I am well aware when a political figure is trying to pull one over on the people.

We all should be offended that the commissioners would even do an article about the gay marriage amendment, while something like this is going on. I always liked Steve Johnson. I always thought he was a stand up guy. But now that he has done this, my opinion has changed. Can't wait to vote him out.

I realize Houpe has some issues in his past, but these commissioners are corrupt NOW.

I am willing to hope Houpe has changed his ways in order to get rid of these clowns.

GO HOUPE AND BRATER!

Mr. Iredell said...

Everyone knows Renee's daddy is holding her hand.

Gene Houpe where the hell are you. I want to hear you weigh in on this. Are you really going to let these idiots beat you?

Everyone is waiting for a leader to emerge. Someome that will stand up,put Redmond in his place, and say NO MORE OF THIS CRAP!

Nair Burns said...

10:22 AM Renee Grimmace did not victimize Wick all over again, she did not non-verbally say ____ you Miss Wick!

She victimized Watt and said ____ you to "miss watt"

You are right, Redmond did keep the use of God's name in the courtroom. More valuable than what his deputies said though is that he himself talked about how much he liked blowjobs with two of his female employees present. True fact.

Do your homework before you post dammit!

Anonymous said...

It's more important to keep the Lords name emblazoned across a courtroom than it is to catch criminals.

Got those balls shaved nice and clean there boys? We wanna pleasure the ladies.

Anonymous said...

what did the comment "renee's daddy is holder her hand" suppose to mean. He loves his daughter that's all.

Anonymous said...

March 28, 2012 8:20 PM I have never seen Renee's husband with her or her Mom with her Dad. Just odd is all.

Anonymous said...

Holding Renee's hand means she does not have a clue.

Anonymous said...

March 28, 2012 9:11 PM You are exactly right. Adams and Jenkins both got moved to the jail to work until things cooled off and then were moved back out. Same thing, different person. They wait for people to forget and tempers to die down. Promise somebody something to appease them and it will be like it never happened. Sue their ass or you will regret it.

Are you the same one that was told by the two Ricks that you have to learn how to play the games if you want to keep a job? Sue their ass. The attorney has posted his name and contact information on here.

harry leggs said...

This isn't going to go away or be forgotten. I think the line has finally been crossed, especially if this goes to trial and old Phillip is arrogant enough to not let this go to settlement. Old Go Redmond believes that no one is going to find his sorry ass guilty.

And I have a bridge and the winning lottery numbers I'll sell you--cheap.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone remember when Darren and Marty had ethics?

Larry Coover said...

Well it has been a full week since this was reported by WBTV. Still no word from Redmond. Maybe if Donna Swicegood had that county phone back we would hear something.

(Click on name to read rest of comment)

Anonymous said...

Larry, I wonder if Redmond has crawled out of his hole yet. He had better put his head back in, the storm is not over yet. Did redmond really tell you to beat up on somebody?

Anonymous said...

Redmond was spotted in Union Grove this afternoon at the bank.

Larry Coover said...

12:03 he told me to stop the guy in his car, get him out and rough him up. There are more details, including who he said I should take with me but that is the short of it. I refused and he asked why and I told him because it was illegal and a felony, that's why. Apparently committing illegal acts even felonies are not a big deal to him.

You asking for a reason? Looks like fishing to me. Time to do away with this anonymous crap. If you can't post your real name or trust me enough to contact me don't expect much respect. Not at this point.

And again, if it isn't the truth I encourage Redmond to sue me for slander.

Anonymous said...

To everyone talking crap about Sheriff Redmond, if you dont like the job he is doing then run for Sheriff yourself and beat him. I wonder why he keeps getting voted in all these years.

If you want to be the man you got to beat the man!

Anonymous said...

Darren Campbell is one of the best supervisors at the Sheriff's Office. The man has worked in every major division in the Sheriff's Office and has been successful in each one. He is the true defintion of a leader. He has done more for the citizens of Iredell County than all of you retards put together!

Anonymous said...

Hey Sheriff Redmond was on the grassy knoll and he started the Cuban Missle crisis, hell he even buried Jimmy Hoffa.

You people are very entertaining!!!!

Anonymous said...

Thix county can't do a damn thing right. The commissioners are all up in a cave somewhere, not a spine in the bunch. We got us a sheriff's department that seems to have more criminals on the payroll than in the jail. We got a stolen truck sitting in a truck stop that isn't all that big with a dead body in in for 3 months and that doesn't raise so much as an eyebrow. And wait for it, lo and behold, looks like the cat lady y'all love to hate may just have her a valid bitch, I read in my neighborhood fishwrap that the animal shelter had to put 20 dogs to sleep and now the shelter is now clean. Well hoo doggie, why wsa it dirty before and where is the cat lady's dog? And how many kids got their hearts broken because they were too cheap to give them dogs shots?

Funny how I seen sheriff's cars lined up all along 40 right before and after the dirty story broke but they can't find a dead body or a stolen truck for 3 months. WTH? You know if I park for 3 days along the side of the road or in my neighborhood Arby's I'm gonna get one of them orange stickers and towed away. Funny how that works.

WTH are those deputies doing with those laptops in their cars anyway? I seen plenty of cop cars by exit 42 all the time. I go by there everyday on the way to and from work.

I see old Darren is making the public comment. Too damn funny if you ask me.

Harry Ball said...

Redmond was spotted at the bank? He must have been picking up some cash before he went to the Burger Barn.

Larry Coover said...

Every time Redmond doesn't come forward with a statement it gives the department a bad name. People have to wonder, if he isn't answering for this, what else is he covering up? There have been some officers who have made mistakes and bad choices, it will happen. The redeeming factor is always the leadership who makes things right for everybody. Redmond only cares about his image, his reputation, his well being. He has shown that over and over again.

If you don't like this man heading up our Sheriffs Office, imagine what it is like working for him. I got tired of driving to the jail after making an arrest and hearing the arrestees talking about what all my boss was involved in. They said I was probably crooked too if I worked for Redmond. Nothing like pinning a badge on your chest and heading out for a twelve hour shift of negativity and risk while having people think you are corrupt.

Redmond needs to go now, not when his term runs out. He has done enough damage. All the people who go around agreeing with this need to step up and make it happen.

Tuesday night is a county commissioners meeting. It would be a great show of public concern if you would show up and silently stand by during the meeting to send the message to Redmond that he needs to resign. There will be some speakers, so all you have to do is show up and be there. It is time to put up or shut up, I am tired of hearing people say they are scared.

Keep in mind that it is not the County Commissioners or the District Attorneys job to answer for Redmond. This will however be a good opportunity to express your displeasure with our Sheriff.

"When the fear of repercussions overpowers your desire to stand up for what is right, you have become a prisoner in your own mind." -Coov.

Regular meetings are held at 7:00 p.m., in the Commissioners’.
Meeting Room of the Iredell County Government Center (ICGC) located at 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.

Anonymous said...

HOUPES A GOOD GUY,BEEN THROUGH ALOT OF MESS WITH THE POLICE DEPT,SUED THEM AND WON,I VOTED FOR HIM SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL HE TEAMED UP WITH REDMOND PUTTING OUT CAMPAIGN SIGNS FOR HIM,,THAT MADE ME CHANGE MY MIND,NEVER A VOTE FOR HOUPE AGAIN NO MATTER HOW MUCH HE'S CHANGED

Anonymous said...

I understand that Renee Griffith, Karen Ray and Redmond were all cozy at the NRA Dinner. Birds of a feather. Remember that when it is time to vote.

Anonymous said...

10:22, how's it going there in Osama's cave, Phillip? You get enough money out of the bank to take a little vacation away from the spotlight? Going up to Dollywood? Maybe have a little look at some big boobs to take your mind off of your little balls. What's it like having to stay out of the light of day like Dracula? Must be tough not being the center of attention in the way you're used to, thumping that chest of yours looking like a big shot. Now all you are is a washed up dirty old man with a bunch of losers and thugs working for you.

Run for office? Hell, Obama could probably beat you. My 90 year old senile granny could probably take you. I'll bet Skippy could beat you. You're done, pal. You'll be lucky if you last out your term. YOu might want to check out those retirement condos in Costa Rica. They probably don't know your name there but it's mud all across the state.

rachel goolsby said...

oh boy, this is sweet. i have waited 2 years for my chance at renee griffith!!my name is rachel goolsby, i stayed in a house in front of the one she was suppose to be buying on barry oak rd. renee said it was her's and she did try to help me and my family. we had no money for deposits and all that so she let us move into this house and just pay rent. i will give her credit for that. the lady that really did own it contacted me and told me renee was 47.000 dollars behind on her payments, and not to pay her a dime. any way, there was a barn behind the house which they used part of it for storage and it looked like a dump, when they got EVICTED they left every thing there in the dump, i started using a little room for storage. 6 months or so after they got EVICTED her sons came up and stole our fire wood, my daughter had to go get the firewood back. then shortly there after her 2 sons came up and was getting into the little room i was storing my stuff in, i told them they could not do that, i was blocking them from entering and had a phone in my hand, he tried to pull me away and he had my hand so tight that it was bleeding bad, the only way i got him off me was i hit him over the eye with the phone, that made him turn loose, then he knocked my glasses off my face, i was 65 yrs. old, he was 18 and a foot ball player?? his mom renee and his star daddy came up and they called the cops cause i assaulted their son, i was going to call but they did so i just sat back and waited for the cops to come thinking after i explained what really happened they would arrest that boy. i was called a lair by renee and his dad plus the cops, renees son also called me a lair, the cops said i had no right to block them from getting in my shed, said sinse they had been using the back part i was the one trespassing!! the 4 cops that came out said that boy had every right to protect himself so they were saying it was alright for them to hit me, make my hand and arm bleed and knock my glasses off. they [the cops]threatened me that if i took out papers on them [the griffiths]what i kind of charges i would face. i ask the cops how well they knew them, they said they had never met them before, which now i know was a lie, after reading what i have read on this blog. right before this happened they had a 4 wheeler stored on the side of the barn and it went missing. of course after this they accused us of stealing it, which i know is a lie, they know what happened to it,did they still owe money on it? just asking! renee says she is a christian, i don't believe it. how could some one be a christian and lie as she has done? she has gone out on her husband, every one knows that, they are always getting evicted, then lies about it. is this what statesville wants for a commissioner? i guess its who you know not what you know. they violated my rights that friday night and the cops of iredell county nc let them get away with it. the cops even went so far as to say that what the owner of the house said was a lie. if i had known what i know now i would have pressed charges any way and took my chances, but i was in no financal position to take on something like that. what i have said in this blog is 100 percent true, of course i will be called a lair and it really doesn't matter to me any more. i have my chance to get this off my chest and i have taken it. there is a police report but of course it isn't in my favor. renee is not a very nice person and if any one thinks she will go to bat for them their wrong UNLESS it will benefit her in some way.

Anonymous said...

ref 8:51....
I remember when Marty had ethics. It was back in the 90's when he was working the road as a regular deputy. He was a pretty good guy that did the right thing. I guess he drank the cool-aid too. I don't really know Darren that well. I do know that there are a few good deputies there, but they are all scared to death of loosing their jobs if they don't follow along with the program.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Sister Griffith, what do you have to say to that? Looks like this county likes beating up on little old ladies.

I applaud your guts Ms. Goolsby.

Sending around a big old 18 year old man to beat up on a 65 year old woman. WWJD? What would he say/

Anonymous said...

Hey 1153, why dont you run for Sheriff?

11:53 said...

I would run for sheriff if I had the funding and the education and credentials. I've never held a firearm in my life. I may be the only person in the south to admit to that. Plus I'm a woman and we all now know how everyone here hates uppity women.

Anonymous said...

March 29, 10:34, How's it going Porky? Toot your own horn much?

As for the clown who suggests anyone run against Redmond, anyone could probably beat him if the election was held immediately. Hell, I bet he'd get run out on a rail in 2 years.

He's no longer a slam dunk. The only reason he got in the last time was because the turnout was disgracefully low. He's pissed off a lot of people, especially women this time.

Face it, Redmond and all you Redmondites, your grip on power is slipping away and there is nothing you can do. You are vile and dirty. I'll even wager that there are female inmates who can tell some tales about their time in the county hotel.

This isn't the end of the story by a long damn shot, oh no, not at all.

Larry Coover said...

"Stallings’ embattled police chief is resigning as of Monday, but he has already landed a new job with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Department.

Dummett joined the Iredell sheriff’s department as a sworn deputy last week, Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle said Friday. He said Dummett’s issues in Stallings did not concern his agency when it decided to hire him."

That is rich considering that Redmond doesn't like black folks all that well. I have wished a hundred times that I had written down the date, time and exact wording that was said about one of our black Lieutenants, and other general racial statements that were made.

It truly is as Redmond always said, " It isn't what you do, but what people think you do." What a crock of shit. He's grasping at straws for sure now.

I hope that there is someone else out there that can remember exact statements about Redmond's racial prejudice and I hope they have the stones to step forward and put their name to it.

This post is in no way a negative about officer Dummett. I don't know anything about this officer, he may be a first class officer caught up in small town politics. It has happened here twice before that I know of. My reason for posting this was that I see Redmond using this to look like a good guy in light of all the recent negative publicity he has received.

Larry Coover said...

Link for reference and credit to the Charlotte Observer...

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/03/30/3138708/stallings-chief-said-he-has-resigned.html#storylink=cpy

Larry Coover said...

The Charlotte Observer said, "Dummett joined the Iredell sheriff’s department as a sworn deputy last week, Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle said Friday. He said Dummett’s issues in Stallings did not concern his agency when it decided to hire him."

So the Cheif Deputy is available for comments about the hiring of a black man but nobody can be found to make a statement about a pending lawsuit and potentially criminal accusations against a deputy.

I knew I smelled bullshit when I first read this, let me keep thinking on it and it will become clearer as the day goes on. This administration has to go.

Anonymous said...

WTH? I'm all the way down at the far south end of the county and I thought I woke up to the rich smell of bullshit today. I guess this is what happens when you keep your balls clean. You think you can do as you please.

Anonymous said...

Refresh my memory, wasn't Dummet being sued or weren't there grievances filed against him for his abuses on the job? Well, he ought to fit right in here in Iredell County.

EVERYONE, commissioners, manager, asst manager, ICSO, they all need to go stand in the unemployment line. NOW.

Anonymous said...

Nice try at a publicity stunt Phil. You need to send Dowdle to mow grass at the womens shelter next. After that maybe you can paint a patrol car pink to show support for breast cancer victims. Maybe that is why you used to wear that pink suit jacket and all this time you were misunderstood by people thinking you just wanted to look pretty.

Anonymous said...

This really is not a redemptive move on the part of ICSO. It is saying to the community that if you keep up yer bitchin we're going to bring in people to crack some heads.

The only way this scenario even mildly smells right is if Redmond and his gang of thugs resigns and this guy cleans house and cracks down.

Anonymous said...

Smart move Rick hire another controverial employee. He should fit in well there

Anonymous said...

Brilliant! Another big "up yours" to all of the citizens of Iredell County. They're not going to let the dust settle on one abuser, oh, no, they're going to put in another potential abuser to stir the pot.

Where are the commissioners indeed? Who needs them? This is clearly a free for all and it's very apparent who is the ringmaster of this circus. Old Ricky and his pals are going to keep thumbing their noses at us until we kick their asses out the door.

Time to put our foot down folks, or better yet, apply our feet to their asses.

Anonymous said...

Nothing like acting in haste. What could possibly go wrong there?

Larry Coover said...

Apparently still no word from the Sheriff. There never is. When McCollum was interviewed outside the federal courthouse it was Marty Byers in the same report being interviewed by the news crew, not Redmond.

When Tommy Adams was indicted Darren Campbell had to do the talking, "The sheriff responded through Campbell, citing personnel and saying: “Our attempt to craft an answer to each question presents practical and legal difficulties for us.”

Why do we have the high Sheriff not answering questions when asked? He ran for the position, he got the position and he is getting paid over $100,000 a year. He wanted the votes to get into office, but not the responsibility that comes along with the job.

Redmond hangs everyone out to dry when things get bad. He hides and they take the beating. Why not? He gets the same paycheck either way.

Phillip Redmond doesn't consider himself accountable to the citizens of Iredell County or the officers that work under him. He needs to be removed.

The County Commissioners Meeting is Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m., in the Commissioners’.
Meeting Room of the Iredell County Government Center (ICGC) located at 200 South Center Street, Statesville.

Be there as a show of support for anyone who wants to speak to the commissioners.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Coover, thank you for posting this info. Please, everyone, let's be polite and on our best behavior and not shame Mrs. Gatton who has done so much to bring this into the public light.

I hope that the various TV stations have been contacted so that even more eyes will see these people for what they are. The commissioners and Redmond can't keep hiding. I intend to email the governor's office and other state officials. God knows, Iredell County can't be trusted to police itself.

Anonymous said...

Larry, You are not suggesting he is avoiding all of this are you?

Larry Coover said...

There will be no speakers tomorrow night at the County Commissioners meeting. They only allow public comments the second meeting of the month. Those who wanted to speak will have to wait until then.

Anonymous said...

Go anyway and hold up signs and have a silent protest.

Anonymous said...

I think people ought to go in numbers anyway to remind the commissioners that they operate in the public eye at the pleasure of the people.

Anonymous said...

Seems odd to me that the County Commissioners are elected to represent us, they have two meetings a month but we can only say anything to them once a month. So basically we can only publicly speak to our elected county representatives twelve times a year. You have to love government.

Anonymous said...

To April 3, 2012 9:03 AM

Screw a sign. This is past quietly holding a sign. I did notice the sign on Davie Avenue has been gone for awhile. You know the if it ain't broke don't fix it sign put up by the Brewer boys. They didn't even leave it up until they rented it out. Tore it down and spray painted for rent across the empty board. Maybe they figured out it is broke.

Anonymous said...

I think someone needs to make the commissioners aware of the fact that April is Sexual Violence Awareness Month and this does not just mean rape. It includes what Jenkins did to Ms. Wicks.

It's high time that the people running the show here get educated, even if we have to do it. Apparently holding elected office does not automatically grant them the knowledge. I find it highly ironic that the purple ribbons from October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, are still out in spots in Statesville and Mooresville, but I guess putting out the ribbons doesn't mean you have to uphold what it means.

Larry Coover said...

Screw going to the commissioners meeting. Redmond is probably delighted to hear that the next step is going after the County Commissioners, he can breathe a bit again. Why not have everyone email, call and go to the Sheriffs Office and ask to speak to our elected Sheriff? He doesn't mind being seen and shaking a hand when he wants a damn vote. Over $100,000 a year and doesn't have to answer to anybody. What a job.

Redmond's statement on his FB page; "I strive to make Iredell County a safer place to Live, Work and Raise a family."

Redmond is going to make Iredell County a safer place to live? People admit to being afraid to speak out against the man even they want him out of office yesterday.

A safer place to work? It isn't even safe to work at the Sheriffs Office. You better learn how to play the games if you want to work here. Right fellows? I hope that person goes to see an attorney. How about the person that was told that everything better be nailed down at their business because they supported another candidate, or the person that was asked who was going to investigate a break in at their house since they supported another candidate?

A safer place to raise a family? Not according to the buzz among our kids. There are drugs all over this county including in our schools. Even more interesting is the alleged source of many of those drugs.

It is time that people look back over the totality or Redmond's career in law enforcement. Do a Google search and see what comes up. Look back over this blog and read all the titles of Sheriff. Go back to the R&L articles about all the campaign laws that were broken. It's all documented. Time to compile all of it and hound Redmond for some answers.

Anonymous said...

We get to talk 12 times a month? Bullshit. There is this little item in the Bill of Rights called Freedom of Speech. First Amendment. First. If enough people show up at a commission meeting, there ain't enough cops and enough jail cells to shut us up. And I said bullshit on purpose. A kid got expelled from school in Indianapolis for dropping the F bomb on his private Twitter account off of school grounds and this coming election is about getting government out of our lives?

Y'all are being silenced by Redmond and the commissioners who are counting on this being blown over in 2 weeks.

Time and time again people have been on here bitching about being abused by someone in the county and you have bashed them. Well, shit, you toss a pebble in a pond, it ripples out. It is never going to change unless we make it change.

Where is the SBI? Where are the media outlets? How is it so many public officials in this county go down and are under indictment and nobody takes notice, not even in Charlotte, for heaven's sake? We're just riff-raff and garbage to be overlooked.

You know, last night, there was a documentary on PBS about Harper Lee and "To Kill a Mockingbird." I believe it was "American Masters" and it's available online. They kept making points about the mindset of the south in the 1960's and it kept striking me that a lot of it was certainly applicable to how we are living in this county right now. Good old boys kicking around women. There were statements made about how things just don't change and how that's the way it's always been. It might be worth watching for some of you. It might inspire some action towards changing things.

We have 2 more years of Redmond and some of you have made the point that there are decent people who work in the dept. Is it fair to them or the rest of us that we have this slow death of our quality of life by a thousand cuts? Every few months it's another scandal or what have you. What's next? It's not fair to us.

This is a plague and it's spreading. The commissioners are defending him with their inaction and silence. So is the county management. Everyone is protecting their self-interest but not our interests.

The commissioners publish their phone numbers. They ought to get polite but firm phone calls during reasonable hours and we all ought to make our feelings known. We ought to send them emails, also on the web site. Hell, we can even send them snail mail. Ditto for the county management. We are paying for this circus. They work for US. They answer to US.

Got it. Good. Now let's get to work. Jaime can't do it all for us.

Anonymous said...

The only ones the commissioners are going to support and look after are the commissioners. And don't think for one minute that they aren't reading this blog and loving that we get at each other's throats. They eat this divide and conquer stuff up like candy.

Come on people, we need to get on the same page and support the cause, no more Redmond and Redmondites, including on the commission.

Anonymous said...

SOmebody needs to call Anderson Cooper. He's always "Keeping Them Honest" or putting some asshat on the Ridiculist. Betterake sure it's them and not us.

Anonymous said...

Once again Redmond has got the attention shifted from himself to the commisioners. And you people have fell for it once again. Master polititions do that you know. He isn't planning to run again or so he is telling, so until then, say anything you want and do nothing about it. Spout off nasty words and call each others bad names which will get you nowhere. He doesn't have to answer to anyone but the voters and he is the master of fooling the people and has been for years. So if in fact, you have anything to prove otherwise,do something other than talk about it. Or do as most of us do, Read these charges knowing that no one is going to do anything about them. After all, he knows nothing will be done anyway.

Larry Coover said...

If you have ever been seriously harassed, threatened or extorted by Sheriff Phil Redmond or anyone acting on his behalf, or if you know of any payoffs or criminal activity that he has been directly involved in, contact Jamie using the information on this blog.

People are coming forward with what they know and you need to as well. Enough is enough. I know of one man who said he couldn't wait for Redmond to get out of office because he was tired of handing him an envelope every month to keep him off his back. Another person, an officer said he drove to a location where a paper bag full of money was retrieved. I'm sure that was legit. Keep the stuff rolling and be ready to testify. (Yes Phil; a subpoena can produce both of these people, so sue my ass.)

It's time to bring this to an end.

Anonymous said...

As long as Iredell county votes in a knee jerk fashion for Republicans, Phil will be sheriff as long as he has a R next to his name.

Anonymous said...

How about any of the deputies acting in an inappropriate fashion? Do they have to be acting on his behalf necessarily? I'm thinking of deputies who violate the rules, period, and nothing gets done.

Anonymous said...

10:06,There is no democrat / Republican party in Iredell. There is only one party, the corrupt party.

Anonymous said...

Redmond is still the story here but the commissioners proving that they are spineless jellyfish who don't want to hear us speak is also a big part of the story. Look at the Fakesville Fishwrap today and see the comments on the coyote story. More crap on the commissioners and people having a lack of guts to go in front of them. No, it's more like they don't give a shit. It's all about putting their time in and collecting their paychecks.

The only place I see sheriff's deputies is sitting in their cars doing nothing or standing around talking to each other. The only place I see Redmond is in satirical pictures on Larry Coover's FB page.

Face it folks, we get to speak a whole 12 times a year and for an entire 3 minutes at a time. That's right. We peasants are allowed to grovel before the all powerful, great and mighty commissioners who tell us to stay in our lane and take every last shekel they can bleed out of us for the privilige and heaven help us if we go over that 3 minutes, we might get arrested or tasered or God only knows what.

I keep asking people, who works for who and who answers to who? How many people work in the ICSO? Can they throw us all in jail? We fire the commission, not vice versa. Quit acting like they run the show. We do. I'm done walking on eggshells. Screw 'em. I'm going to the next meeting and I'm taking my 3 minutes and I am going to politely tell them that this female citizen has had enough and she is not staying in her lane. Enough abuse, corruption, and crap. Either this shit gets cleaned up and cleaned up fast or come November they will all be in the unemployement line and perhaps the FBI will be vetting the new sheriff (and commissioners) in town.

Larry Coover said...

April 5, 2012 1:40 PM

Officers who violate rules are the responsibility of the Sheriff. I do intend to write a piece about the difficulties of the job and how officers have 3 seconds to make a decision that others have from now on to judge them by. Consider that when I get it done.

To get to the point of your question; it all comes back to the sheriff to see that malicious bad behavior is dealt with and that misunderstood moments are explained. Either way, it is Phil Redmond's job to restore faith in the public after any situation.

He fails to do that. He doesn't do his job. He is not fair. He only does what he has to do to get votes. It is all about him and his ego.

All of the individual incidents , whether well intended actions gone bad, or malicious actions need to be addressed in a professional manner by a law enforcement leader. Redmond is a politician who told me himself, It's not what you do, it is what people think you do."

I have repeated that quote and will continue to repeat it as it is the summary of the man currently running ICSO. You won't get what you are looking for or what this county needs as long as he remains in office.

Anonymous said...

So, now it's down to Republican vs. Democrat? Take a good look at who is moving here from all those wonderful decaying towns and cities "up north". Yes, it's "D's" fleeing liberal invested, corrupt, and bankrupt, states and cities. We have our problems here, to be sure, but on average we've done pretty good. But don't worry, that will ALL change soon. The rot is quickly spreading here now.

Anonymous said...

Slavery, Jim Crow, yup, it's all been just great in the south for how long? And it's just now getting crappy because people are coming down from up north? Get real. There have been repub govs in some of those states for awhile and as I read recently, Scott Walker is going up for recall. Ohio has been in the crapper for quite a while and I don't recall there being a dem in charge there for years. Ditto for Minnesota and Indiana. Most of the yankess coming down here are retirees trying to get away from winter. Not to say there isn't corruption up there but I'd say that what's been going on down here has been going on for a good long time and yes, I'm probably going to vote me some dems this time. Maybe even for that guy in the White House.

Anonymous said...

It's Easter. Wonder if the commissioners or Redmond rolled out from any rocks and made any miraculous appearances?

Film at 11.

Anonymous said...

I beter Sister Griffith is too worried about the issue mentioned in the article to get back to Jamie...

http://mooresvilleweekly.com/news/2011/12/commissioner-disputes-real-estate-records/

Anonymous said...

Ooh, Sister Griffith, neither a borrower nor a lender be.

Why isn't your daddy paying your bills, honey? He does everything else for you. Even bears false witness.

Is this question going to come up at the GOP "debate?"

Anonymous said...

I doubt it will come up at the debate. The gop doesn't have the balls to bring it up.
I wonder if she had that foreclosure hearing yet?

Anonymous said...

I see that there is going to be a debate for all the Republican commission candidates Saturday at 10AM at the Ramada in Statesville but that you have to submit questions ahead of time. So therefore, it's safe to presume that foreclosure quesions and questions about the sheriff won't be allowed. I'm sure it will all be sunshine and lollipops only. The only hardballs will be personal shots at the people trying to dislodge the likes of Robertson and Griffith.

Is there any free speech in this county anywhere? Does anyone in office have to answer for anything?

Kurt Hadsell said...

Robertson and Griffith need some hardball thrown at them.
Question: Ms. Griffith how could you afford to loan your 2010 campaign money, when at the same time you were not making your house payments? Is this financially responsible and does this show good judgement?

http://www.co.iredell.nc.us/Departments/Elections/finance_reports.aspx

Anonymous said...

Kurt, will you be sending this question to the GOP commissioners debate? I'm sure it won't be asked.

I would like to suggest that if enough people show up and respectfully but firmly attempt to ask questions instead of being fed pre-chewed pablum by party hacks who want to control what we hear and think, things might be a little more "of the people, for the people, by the people."

As I recall, I saw the phrase that this will be a "tightly controlled" debate. Who, exactly is being controlled?

Kurt Hadsell said...

Yes, I did send this question but i'm sure it will not be asked. it's too mean. Well guess what I DON'T CARE. Griffith didn't care being mean to Ms. Goolsby!

Dewitt T. Lask said...

Pastor Crosswhite is a good honest man, please keep him out of this. He would never do anything wrong. He loves his wonderful daughter and would do anything to help her.

Anonymous said...

Oh, yes, the good pastor would never throw up something about an officer having to do his duty. What he said about Mr. Houpe was deplorable and totally uncalled for. His daughter does not deserve reelection given those dirty tactics.

Griffith is mean and a liar and we can all see who she gets it from.

Kurt Hadsell said...

What did the good pastor say about houpe?

Anonymous said...

Apparently Mr. Houpe had to kill a man in the line of duty and that man turned out to be a veteran. He was found to be justified in that shooting but the pastor is distorting it to make it look otherwise.

Frankly, the taking of a human life is never a good thing but when someone has to dredge up something that someone has been cleared of from years ago (and I don't know the details) I find that disturbing. I don't know either man, but I have family in the military who have had to fire at human beings to save lives and it is nevertheless traumatic.

To take potshots like this to help one's daughter win an election is not Christian nor is it ethical.

Anonymous said...

Oh please. My daddy told me about the time that I was 12 that I had to fight my own battles and I'm a girl just like Sister Griffith. Seems like she needs to pull up her big girl panties and speak for herself not get daddy to do it. If she can't take care of her own business, she can't take care if the county's.

Anonymous said...

Well, I saw some of the commissioners and those would be commissioners. Ken Robertson is an arrogant gas bag who has charts for every occasion and thinks we are all too stupid too understand his mighty intellect.

Renee Griffith just kind of repeated herself almost to the point of whining and lied on several scores. She doesn't care about anything but Renee.

Comic relief was provided by the guy at the end, Coggins? What was up with the napkin on the microphone? Did the other candidates have cooties?

Love these "debates" where the questions are just softball candy coated crap. I think Renee had her notes in front of her so she must of got the questions ahead of time.

Glad I went. It was an education but also a waste.

Anonymous said...

Really????? How do you explain Mr. Robertson's blown up, life size charts. If anyone had the questions before it had to be him.

Whiner award goes to Ms. Stewart. She's still complaining about 1980 and 2010!

The rest of the field was just lame.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I agree on the Robertson score. That went without saying. I wasn't here in 1980 so I don't know what went on. She looks like she was holding grudges going back to 1880 or even 1780 so who knows?

As for lame, it's lame that's gotten us into this state. Robertson and Griffith are interested in protectecting their butts. I would love to know how "Obamacare" is going to be the end of life as we know it? I am so sick of that being brought up as an excuse for every damn thing. It's a federal program that will probably be dead come June so quit trying to distract us poor dumb citizens.

Bet we could have a damn new jail if we weren't paying that damn fool running the show $100 grand for being AWOL and for spending the time he has been on the job worrying about how HE looks. Bet there would be money for new stuff if we weren't having to pay for the chronic bullshit going on at the ICSO.

Face it folks, the whole thing was lame and there's a Saturday morning we won't get back.

Anonymous said...

We got us a bunch of commissioners that don't know how to budget our money and account to us.

Click for forum video said...

click link for video from sat. forum.

Anonymous said...

Fred Coggins has my vote. He may be a little different but what he has to say makes sense. Plus he is worth his weight in gold for the way he gives Ken Robertson hell. Anything to break up the good old boy system currently in place.

Anonymous said...

We got the early voting robo-call from the county tonight. Hoo boy, we know who we're not voting for, Robertson and Griffith. We also are not voting for Pittinger and Pendergraph. Got a thank-you letter for sitting through the latter's telephone town meeting. I did not know that all American Indians were alcoholics who don't know how to work. Since I am part Cherokee and don't drink and have worked since I was a freshman in high school, I think I'll be voting for someone else. He actually said this.

Is everyone running for office this year nuts or what?

Anonymous said...

I guess after seeing the election results it is a certainty that the county commissioners will not take a stand on Phil Redmond and his actions. Pathetic voter apathy in Iredell County. Typical cigar smoking, brandy sipping republican politicians who cover for each other at the expense of the general public.