Posted on 09/14/2005 8:46:32 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
SHEPHERDSVILLE - Bullitt County Sheriff Paul Parsley doesn't believe he should pay someone who wants to take his job.
So on Wednesday, when deputy David Greenwell's intent to run for sheriff was publicized in The Pioneer News and The Courier-Journal, Parsley fired him.
In a letter sent to Greenwell, Parsley stated, "... you informed the public and me personally that you are running against me for sheriff... Therefore, I am terminating your employment with me and my office for obvious reasons."
(Greenwell provided a copy of the letter; Parsley could not be reached on Tuesday to confirm the document.)
Parsley hasn't second-guessed himself on the decision to fire Greenwell.
"I don't have a problem with someone running against me," Parsley said. "If they want to resign and run, that's okay with me. Anybody's got the right to do that, but I don't think I should pay a guy to run against me."
Greenwell said his termination was illegal and was an example of why he wants Parsley out of office.
"I know what it's like to feel like you're required to vote for someone," Greenwell said. "We got soldiers fighting in Iraq for freedom and to have elections without fear. If it's wrong in the Middle East, it's wrong here."
From his horse barn Monday afternoon, Greenwell explained his decision to run against Parsley to The Pioneer News, feeling confident he'd regain his job.
Greenwell said he hired two Louisville attorneys to pursue court action and likened his case to Parsley's firing of deputies who weren't supporting him during the 2002 elections.
Those cases ended with an undisclosed settlement in favor of the deputies and one deputy returned to duty as a Bullitt County sheriff's deputy.
Parsley said Greenwell's case would be different since he wasn't merely supporting an opponent, but was running against him.
"There's no doubt about it he ain't getting it back," Parsley said. "I have two cases right here that say I had the right to fire him."
One case Parsley referred to was Carver v. Dennis, a 1997 Tennessee case relating to a county clerk's firing of a deputy county clerk who planned to run in opposition.
In Carver v. Dennis, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals found that the plaintiff's effort "to take her boss's office" did not warrant protection of the First Amendment.
Greenwell's attorneys could not be reached for comment, but Greenwell said he was prepared to go to court if necessary to prove that he was right.
"I'll prove that... Regardless of color, whether you're male or female, or whatever else, that you got the right to run for office," Greenwell said.
Greenwell lost a run for Bullitt County Jailer during the 2002 elections.
He said he ran for that job only because people told him he couldn't do it.
"I see a greater need for a new sheriff now," Greenwell said. "I want to give people the protection and respect that they deserve and I'll encourage people who want to run for office, even if it's against me. That's their right."
Greenwell said he wants to change the nepotism and favoritism that's been going on in the sheriff's department.
"You got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything," Greenwell quoted country musician Aaron Tippin. "That's exactly the way I feel."
Parsley found no problem with the hiring of family and friends to serve under him.
"You've got to have people you can trust, especially with the volume of money me and (Bullitt County Judge-executive Kenneth Rigdon) handle," Parsley said.
Parsley said he wants to continue to add deputies to the department and felt his crew had done well during the past three years.
"I think we're doing a good job with the resources we have," Parsley said.
Bullitt County Attorney Walt Sholar would not comment on the legality of Greenwell's termination and no lawsuit has yet been filed relating to the matter.
"You've got to have people you can trust, especially with the volume of money me and (Bullitt County Judge-executive Kenneth Rigdon) handle," Parsley said.
Uh huh.
"...I don't think I should pay a guy to run against me."
While he may have a very loose point on how it would be in the office in the general election campaign, this comment indicates a sense of personal ownership over the office (in addition to his hiring of family members) by claiming he is personally paying this employee, not the people.
Can this happen at a company? Can you be fired just for applying internally?
It ain't his money. The sheriff is a little light on the concept of public office.
Found this in a small town paper - Kentucky ping, if you could, please.
This is the type of corrupt politics you get when the same group of people are able to keep control for decades or longer without fear of any real opposition. I'm sure FReepers from other localities than this newspaper story can relate similar stories.
What's interesting is that this guy is not yet his opponent - I think they are on separate party ballots, and neither one has yet to earn the right to run in the general election. This behavior by the governor smacks of machine politics.
er, I meant, sheriff, not "governor."
He's also not sharp on public sentiment. The deputy will win a TON of sympathy votes.
Ever been in a small town? This is nothing new.
Lifelong friends become mortal enemies over the sheriffs badge.
and the control of the $$$'s flowing throught the jail.
Local sheriff's wife caters the meals to the jail, control over commissary, lots of goodies.
Sheriff's deputies are county employees. The Sheriff stepped in a pile of legal dung terminating Greenwell, and I hope Greenwell wins his case because he should.
and the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home.....
Can you get better local and even state politics this good in any other state?
Oh my, yes! Louisiana politicians make ours in Kentucky look like Mother Teresa. Ours are rookie amateurs by comparison. Lousiana is easily the most corrupt state in the nation. They raise it to an art form down there.
You were right the first time. Hahaha...
I dunno....I think it may be a general southern thing.
I am a personal friend of Dave Greenwell. I am also the Chairman of the Bullitt County Republican Party, besides that I am the Chief of Police for the City of Pioneer Village, in the same county.
I told Dave of your support for him... he wanted me to tell you all THANK YOU. What was done to him was terrible, and Dave is going to seek justice against him in the court system. I will keep you posted, but I too want to thank you for your kind support for Dave.
He is still going to run for office against this Sheriff, wish him luck, Politics here is nasty. I am also a target of the local Demoralcrats. I'll also keep you posted on that.
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