Small SC town rallies for fired gay police chief

http://news.yahoo.com ^ | July 13, 2014 | Jeffrey Collins

[NKP_Vet]

LATTA, S.C. (AP) — When openly gay police chief Crystal Moore was fired by a mayor who condemned her lifestyle as "questionable," she expected her two decade career in law enforcement was over.

Then, this conservative, small town rebelled.

The people of Latta, who voted overwhelmingly for a state amendment banning gay marriage eight years ago, turned against the mayor, stripped him of his powers and rehired Moore. They said her dedication to the town mattered more than her sexual orientation.

Residents remembered Moore's civic spirit from as far back as 1989, when Hurricane Hugo tore through Latta. She was a high school student working part time as a police dispatcher, and helped cut downed tree limbs to clean up the debris. This February, when an ice storm crippled the town and left it without power for days, Moore piled her officers in her SUV and checked on as many people as she could.

"That's Crystal. All she does is help people. I don't get why he fired her. Maybe it's the ignorant people who talk the loudest. She was the same great Crystal yesterday as she is today, and she'll be the same person tomorrow," said lifelong Latta resident Dottie Walters.

Mayor Earl Bullard vehemently denied that he fired Moore because she was gay. Instead, he said she was dismissed for "sheer insubordination" during the three months he was her boss.

[NKP_Vet]

The mayor fires this person because of insubordination, the people in town demand she get the job back. All whinning he only fired her cause she's a dyke. Pure hogwash. Anyone with eyes can see she's a lesbian. No secret there. She was fired because of insubordination. The White House invitation will come soon, then guest appearances on PMSNBC, ABC, CNN, CBS, and probably Fox. Obozo will probably make her the next Director of Homeland Security. In the meantime the mayor's life will be ruined and within a few weeks he'll be busted himself.

[Theodore R.]

Now we know what really motivates the support for Loveable Lindsey among the Palmettos.

[Viennacon]

So, fired for insubordination.... claims discrimination... gets her boss fired and gets re-hired. Great scam.

[Resettozero]

In the meantime the mayor's life will be ruined and within a few weeks he'll be busted himself.

It's what awaits many conservative Americans who dare to speak the truth in public.

[tflabo]

Yep Ted I was going to write the same thing. South Carolina likes the squish types it seems. I miss America—what happened to her and gone in a flash.

[tflabo]

So those who wave the Rainbow flag are protected and shielded from any misdoings as the new royalty. All hail thy Queer.

[redreno]

She wasn’t fired for insubordination. She was fired for, “ sheer insubordination. “ Not exactly a legal term. But good enough for government. SMH.

[jstaff]

It has been said in other circles that Earl Bullard is a total ass and he fired the chief to make room for one of his cronies. Typical small town scenario.

[Gaffer]

My very first thought, too.

[Monorprise]

Honestly in a small town where everyone knows everyone else you can’t really say that at all.

I suspect the issue is local, and the mayor dident sell his side of the story well.

[Monorprise]

Honestly i think the town will live to regret the choice to rehire her as she becomes more of an activist.

[fini]

I don't know the facts in the case, but in a small town, they typically know "the real information." Judging by the town's reaction, the major is an ass and wanted to consolidate power.

I lived in a small town for many years when I was growing up and everyone pretty knew who was a homosexual and were accepted as long as they did not flaunt it. If you were a nice person, you were treated nicely. The only exception is if you moved from another area, then you had a probationary period (usually several years).

[NKP_Vet]

She/He has Linda Graham’s support and all that matters these days.

[Monorprise]

If you read the article it sounds like this sodomite intends to start flaunting and permuting her life style actively from here on out.

If that is the case I’m not sure that’s the sort of environment i’d want to live and raise children around. Sodomy is a diseases, and while victims should be treated with respect and fairness, they should not be trying to spread their misfortune.

There is a fine line between being respected as a person and being a bad role model. If she was as upstanding as she was in the past keeping this sinful and private part of her life behind closed doors there is no reason she can’t continue as she has been.

But if she goes on and does as she seems to be suggesting she now intends to do in the rest of this article in promoting this behavior, then I say that crossed the line, and she should not continue as a community role model.

[GAgal]

Exactly. The article makes clear the sheriff was known and valued for her character, and the mayor is an idiot. In a rural SC town of only 1340 citizens, folks know what’s up.

[Conscience of a Conservative]

the mayor fires this person because of insubordination . . .

According to other articles on this story, the police chief conducted an investigation into shady hiring practices of the mayor (specifically, he hired someone without conducting a required background check, which would have disqualified the person). So, the police chief's "insubordination" was really "doing her job."