As published in the Courier-Tribune on February 9, 2012
By Hugh Martin
Contact: Uwharrieorganics@yahoo.com
CANDOR — Nearly two months after the controversy began, some Candor citizens still have not received answers to their questions about the firings of four of the town’s five police officers during the December board meeting.
That lack of answers has led to some tough words from citizens who spoke during a public forum during Monday night’s regular meeting.
“You guys have caused a real problem the way I see it,” said Frank Harris of McCallum Street in Candor. Harris has previously spoken to the board to request the resignations of Mayor Richard Britt and Commissioners Tim Privett, Rob Martin and Wayne Holyfield.
Martin and Holyfield were elected last November and took action to fire the officers shortly after they were sworn in on Dec. 12.
“Nobody’s going to want to come to this town. Nobody wants to come to a town that’s controlled by thugs.”
Harris told the board that he thinks they are trying to run the town like a third world dictatorship.
“There are two commissioners that were brought in to do one job,” Harris continued. “That job is done and I don’t know why they’re still here. There are some loose ends on it, but those ends better stay loose.”
The “loose ends” that Harris referred to was rumors that other employees of the town were going to be terminated by the board.
“I’d like you guys to know that — even though we may be at odds — I’d like for you to feel free to call me. We can talk. I know how to talk without getting mad,” Harris said.
Directing his comments to Britt, Harris said, “Richard, I really don’t think you know what you’re doing. I just don’t think the town of Candor can stand two more years of Richard Britt.”
George Myers, who lives on South Main Street, minced no words in his prepared statement to the board. He compared the police firings in Candor to the 2001 attack, financed by Osama Bin Laden, on the World Trade Center.
“On Dec. 12, 2011, a bunch of thugs, financed by Teresa Lamonds, attacked the Town of Candor,” he said.
Many citizens and the dismissed officers say that the police firings were the result of a warning ticket for speeding that escalated to Lamonds’ arrest in 2009. Montgomery Board of Elections records show that Lamonds and her husband were the only contributors to the 2011 campaigns of Commissioners Martin and Holyfield.
The motion to fire the officers was made by Holyfield just minutes after he was sworn as a commissioner on Dec. 12. His motion was seconded by Martin, who had also just been sworn. Privett voted in favor to make the majority.
“Teresa Lamonds and her thugs have not had their judgment day yet,” Myers added.
Myers urged registered voters of Candor to sign a petition calling for the resignations of the three commissioners and mayor.
“We have publicly asked them to explain their actions and they have refused,” he said.
Myers accused the four of going into hiding to keep from having to face citizens.
Rebecca Shepherd, who also lives on South Main Street, said that she and other citizens would welcome an open conversation with the commissioners and mayor.
“We have been having a one-sided conversation with you for almost two months,” she said. “Please converse with the people that elected you. If you don’t, this town will fail.”
Jimmy Johnson, of Harris Street, commended the mayor.
“I think you’ve done an outstanding job, sir,” he said. “I think it’s time the town put all the drama and history behind them and let’s move forward.”
Martin gave the first response from the board.
“Since being sworn in, it seems that we do have a lot of controversy,” he began. “As I’ve said, I think it was the best thing for the town. If you can accept that, that’s great. If not, then I’m sorry.”
Commissioners Phillip Hearne and Layton Booker, who both voted against the firings, each said that they were still waiting for reasons for the firings as well. Both commended the employees of the town for continuing to work under difficult circumstances.
“The town employees put up with a lot of flak,” said Booker. “People are running around trying to catch them doing this and doing that. They need to let them do their work instead of running around and harassing them. They’d be a whole lot better off. I think they do an excellent job.”
The mayor directed his first comments directly to Harris.
“You live two houses from me,” he said. “You’ve seen me every day in the yard, right or wrong?”
Harris replied that he had not seen Britt as much as he used to.
“I haven’t moved,” Britt said. “You haven’t stopped at my house, you haven’t called me.”
Britt and Harris agreed that they do wave at one another in passing.
“All you’ve got to do is give me a call,” Britt said.
Addressing Shepherd, Britt asked her to stand.
“Can I just ask you one question? I know your husband (Jay Shepherd) ran for commissioner, and he did an excellent job. If he would have won, and he came up here and did the same thing that the other three commissioners have done, would you be doing the same thing to him?”
Shepherd said that was a moot question because he would not have done it.
“If the other commissioners had not done what they did, we would not be in this mess,” she said.
To Myers, Britt said, “I’m up here all the time. You came in here and talked to me the other day and you did not say anything to me once about the four guys that had been let go.”
Britt then stated, “I’ve been here a long time and I’m not going anywhere.“
“I hope you’re wrong about that,” Myers responded.
Britt shot back, “I’ll tell you right now, I’m not resigning. I don’t care how many names you get. I’m not going nowhere.”
“We’re not either,” said Myers.
“That’s good,” Britt replied. “I hope you come every month.”
Britt finished his comments by saying he hated that the situation had come to the point it had.
“It’s embarrassing for the town,” he said. “We’ve got to get together. It hurts. It really hurts.”
“Good!” Myers responded.
“I’ll tell you, George Myers,” Britt said. “I’m not going nowhere, and you can get up there and read two more pages next month.”
Following adjournment, when asked how they felt about being referred to as “thugs” by some of the speakers, Martin said that he felt it was unprofessional while Britt characterized it as disrespectful.
“I’m no thug,” Britt said. “I don’t like to be called that, and I know they’re ill and upset, but I’m up here every day and I want them to know they can come to see me anytime they want.”
Privett was not available for comment.
Holyfield was not present for the meeting, his second absence in a row. He was said to be on medical leave.
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