From the T&G.
Sheriff's attorney questions quality of letters to the editor
Dear Editor,
I have no desire to engage in a letter-writing campaign concerning my client, Sheriff Bill Smith. I am writing in response to Robert Southwell's recent letter to the editor ("Sheriff's ethics, competence called to question," Jan. 12) only because I am mentioned, not only by name, but also in a way that could subject Mr. Southwell (and also your newspaper) to a valid claim for defamation.The recent controversy in which I represented Sheriff Smith before the State Ethics Commission was minor at best. The only thing Sheriff Smith did wrong was to inadvertently fail to mention two or three low value pieces of property he had inherited from his parents in a 2002 financial disclosure statement. The theory behind the original complaint, filed by a thoroughly-defeated political adversary, was that if the voters had known of the omission, it might have affected somebody's vote. Sheriff Smith got about 85 percent of the votes in that election, and, if everybody in Camden County had known of the minor omission, I don't think it would have changed a single vote.The only reason Sheriff Smith paid the $1,500 fine was because I advised him that the value of his service to Camden County for the entire day, when he would otherwise have been required to come to Atlanta to appear before the commission, was more than $1,500.Camden County is fortunate to have a sheriff with the competency and good character of Bill Smith. I am proud to consider him a long-time good friend, as well as a client.
Taylor W. Jones Attorney at lawAtlanta
HOW STUPID DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR AND THREATEN TO SUE SOMEONE FOR THEIR FREE SPEECH.
Mr. Jones,
You know good and well this is not the first time the Sheriff ethics have been questioned, So why would we not ask about other ethics violations. We as Americans have the right to question our elected officials. We have the right to our opinions.
I have been the most outspoken person in regards to the Sheriff and his office. Yet they continue to bash Mr. Southwell. Why didn't Mr. Jones say anything about me! I know because I actually have the power. They all know what happened back in December have cost them dearly. Every commissioner was called out and none answered. As it stands now we have a lame duck government, and they will be very careful what they do in the future.
IT IS VERY HARD FOR A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE TO SUE THE AVERAGE CITIZEN ESPECIALLY WHEN THE AVERAGE CITIZEN IS ONLY TALKING ABOUT THAT EMPLOYEES JOB.
SHERIFF,
STOP TRYING TO BULLY THE PEOPLE AND JUST DO YOUR JOB.
Mr. Southwell's letter is in the comments section. Someone please tell me what he said to deserve this ambulance chaser to threaten to sue.
"The people of this County do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created." ***The views expressed on this blog are the opinions of the individual that wrote them.
1 comment:
What did Mr.Southwell say that was so bad?
Please someone tell me!!!
Here is his letter from the T&G.
Dear Editor,
By Sheriff Bill Smith admitting that he paid a fine to the State Ethics Commission confirms the fact that his ethics are the reason we question his competency as a sheriff of Camden County.
He has no problem answering to the State Ethics Commission through his attorney, Taylor W. Jones, who in my opinion sounds like a salesman with a mouth full of samples.
To the citizens of this county: If we don't vote him out in the next election, we will be subjected to this type of unjust justice for years to come. We need to stand up and elect an objective sheriff. I'm starting early on this campaign, and our next sheriff's last name should not be Proctor.
Robert Southwell
Woodbine
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