Politics

LETTER: McDonald firings deserve 'thumbs down'

Former District Court Judge Steve Franks is shown during his campaign for mayor of Hendersonville in 2013.

By Bill Moss, Published: January 17, 2015

To the Lightning: In your Christmas edition, numberous thumbs up and down were assigned events of the year 2014, but you missed a big thumbs down on Sheriff McDonald's dismissal of a number of his staff without explanation other than that their services were no longer required.

Yes, the sheriff was elected by a large margin and he had a mandate and the power to hire and fire at will. He wasted no time in exerting his power, but in a shabby and disgraceful manner. A dark cloud now hovers over his administration.

Those he fired had long periods of service to our county in protecting citizens and enforcing the law. None to my knowledge had any discipline marks against them and many had commendations. As a former judge with 14 years on the bench, I encountered many of these officers and they were all a credit to our community. Now, as a result of the autocratic actions of our new power wielder in the county, those folks have sustained setbacks in their careers through no fault on the own. They and our citizens deserve better.

Stephen F. Franks

Hendersonville