LETTERS to the EDITOR: published Aug. 27

Pernell seeks election as Dillon’s Sheriff

Dear Editor,
I, Douglas B. Pernell, am happy to announce my candidacy for Sheriff of Dillon County. First, thanks to the many citizens in Dillon County who signed the petition to have my name appear on the Nov. 4 ballot for Sheriff. Also, thanks to those who worked to obtain signatures on my behalf.  Born, reared and educated in Dillon County, I began my career in law enforcement in 1984 with the Lake View Police Department.

In 1985, I attended the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and later joined the Mullins City Police Department. In 1986, I moved to the Dillon County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff and was subsequently promoted to lieutenant and later to captain. For the past seven years, I have been the Chief Deputy of the Dillon County Sheriff’s Department. As a Deputy Sheriff, I have been effective in working with federal and state law enforcement agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and SLED in various undercover capacities. Working with these agencies has helped me to expand my knowledge of criminal law and my career in law enforcement. As your Sheriff, I will continue my work with these agencies. I also plan to mobilize and allocate resources and services to step up the current fight against street drugs and gang violence.

I will ensure the safety and protection of everyone, especially that of children and senior citizens. In consultation with the local school districts, I will increase the law enforcement in the schools, protecting the children and teachers ... I plan to partner with truant officers to locate delinquent children and take them off the streets ... I plan to continue community educational programs to fight drugs and gang violence. With regard to our senior citizens, I plan to implement specific modifications to a current program within the Sheriff’s Office that monitors their safety, one that will increase coverage for their needs and give them highest priority for their safety ...

As your Sheriff, I will work with officers to lead and assist them in maintaining law and order in Dillon County. Any officer going outside of departmental policy or the law, or who violates the trust of the public, will be disciplined accordingly ... Dillon County needs a Sheriff who has experience in fighting crime and promoting justice, a person who knows how to work homicide cases and handle domestic violence disputes, someone who has worked tirelessly in the community fighting for citizens seeking justice in drug and violent crime cases. Dillon wants a Sheriff who can walk into any community and work with citizens in solving their problems. I am that person, and I will be that Sheriff ...

I was named by the South Carolina Sheriff’s Association as “Deputy of The Year” and won accolades from the South Carolina House of Representatives for my role in “Operation Crackdown…” My service to this community has been extensive and rewarding ... I am a member of Manning Baptist Church in Dillon, a member of Brotherhood Ministry, and Chairman of the Trustee Board. I am a member of Wonder Lodge No. 459. I have participated in the Recreational Department’s Youth Program as a football coach and mentor for the past 27 years. I am married to Dillon County native Cynthia McAllister Pernell, who works for McLeod Medical Center Dillon and we have two children, Douglas Bryan Jr. and Kobe Adam.

Please consider me, Douglas “Humbunny” Pernell, for Sheriff of Dillon County ... Thank you and God bless the citizens of Dillon County.
Douglas B. Pernell

Mayor defends Liberty Street residents

Dear Editor,
In his letter to the editor of July 23, Spartanburg resident and Mullins High Class of 1961 member Gordon Summey describes the Highway 76 Liberty Street entrance to the City of Marion as “dilapidated and awful looking as always.” Having known Mr. Summey for many years, I would expect no less from him. In fact, several of his classmates called me personally to apologize for Mr. Summey’s criticism of the City of Marion. Most home and business owners on Liberty Street take pride in the appearance of their property, but many are limited by their financial resources, unlike the rich communities of the upstate Mr. Summey may have become accustomed to visiting. I concur with his remarks regarding improvements in the City of Mullins and congratulate city leaders on their efforts. The City of Marion has long been the leader among all small towns in our beautification efforts and we will continue those efforts wholeheartedly throughout our beautiful city. But we must also respect the diversity of our citizens and not disrespect or condemn those who may live in the older or less affluent neighborhoods, as Mr. Summey has done.

Those citizens who live and work on Liberty Street deserve better than Mr. Summey’s criticism so may I suggest that if he is so offended by the Liberty Street entrance in the City of Marion, on his next trip to Mullins he can take the bypass around Marion to Aerial’s Crossroads, take a left onto Highway 41 and that route will lead him back home to Mullins. Mr. Summey can return to Spartanburg the same he came.
Sincerely,
Bobby Gerald, Mayor of Marion

Writer deplores animal shelter condition

Dear Editor,
This is an open letter to Marion County Administrator Tim Harper, Deputy Administrator Kent Williams, County Attorney Tim Pogue and Marion County Council Members John Q. Atkinson Jr., Elista Smith, Pearly Britt, Allen Floyd, Eloise Rogers, Thomas Shaw and Milton Troy II ... I am a volunteer at the Marion County Animal Shelter.  I work long hours for free in sickening conditions so the animals housed there will have their basic needs provided. I am not complaining about the work and I do not want to be paid, but I would like to occasionally take a day off without worrying that the animals there will be wallowing in feces and have no food and water. This is what I find when I return after missing a day to go to the doctor or tend to my own needs for a change. As public officials representing the will and best interests of the citizens of Marion County, I implore you to consider the plight of the animals that arrive at the Marion County Animal Shelter.

On any given day, most of the animals at the Shelter have been dumped there by uncaring, irresponsible owners or have been brought to the shelter by Animal Control after straying away from their homes. The public needs to know that the Marion County Animal Shelter can and does kill animals after they have been there for a five-day holding period. Cute little pups, sweet little kittens.  Yes, even those.  This klling ritual happens even if the shelter has empty kennels. Is this done so there are a few less to tend this week? Those heartless enough to dump your sick animals there because you do not want to provide veterinary care, don’t think that this goes unnoticed ...

Animals are housed in unsanitary kennels laden with bacteria and feces. When the kennels finally do get hosed out, the animals are hosed down as well, even when it’s freezing cold in there and feces is hosed into their food and water dishes and left there. The “lucky” ones get to romp in the fenced yard, which provides little shelter from the elements and burning sun. If they have water, it is too hot to drink after the sun has warmed it all day. The cats are housed upstairs in small cages, where the room may or may not have a working air conditioner that has been turned on for them.
The Shelter is tended by one inmate of the Marion County Prison Farm with little to no supervision ...

We do see the Marion County Humane Society trying to help. They provide partial rebates for the expenses citizens incur when they are responsible and have their pets spayed and neutered. Controlling the animal pet population of the County is key, so kudos to the Humane Society for their help with this effort. Numerous calls, emails, letters, and photographs have been sent to Kent Williams, Tim Harper, Jim Battle, John Rogers or anyone that might listen and have the authority to make things right at our community Shelter ... Numerous improvements could be made to the building and the operation for little or no money, if only someone in a position of authority would take some positive action ... These same problems have been ongoing and seem to be never ending because there is no leadership in this community.

Where are the movers and shakers? They need to visit their community shelter and tip-toe through the parvo … a disease which leads to quick death, because the kennels and runs are not properly sanitized.  Paws to the Rescue rescues animals from our Shelter only to find that they are infected with parvo and must be given intensive veterinary treatment in an effort to save them. They have literally spent thousands of dollars on the animals they have pulled from this shelter ...This shelter needs someone that will actually do the job (as manager), not sit at the desk all day ...
You advertised some time ago for a person or organization to take over the operation of the Shelter. I am aware that Paws to the Rescue submitted a proposal ...  They do fundraising and have a network of volunteers that transport, provide foster care and place our animals in good homes ..

Since they have no voices, I will be a voice for them all. I understand that this is a kill shelter but the stay here doesn’t have to be so heartless and inhumane. I am sick to death of being put off, being promised changes and improvements that never take place, and having all these issues fall on deaf ears. I have waded through enough stench and filth here to last a lifetime and it starts at the top of Marion County’s leadership. Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.  I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man.”  At best, this county falls short.
Irene Miller

Mayor answers beautification critic

Dear Editor,
I am writing this letter in response to the letter from Wanda Koiter “Writer says Mayor doesn’t care about roadways” published in your Aug. 13 edition. First of all, the road she cites, Rogers Road, near her home, is not a city street, it is state highway S-34-475 and this road and all other state highways are maintained not by the City of Marion but by SCDOT who contracts the mowing to a private contractor. I assure you the streets in the City of Marion are maintained by our excellent city employees in a manner better than any other municipality of comparable size in the State of South Carolina. We take pride in our beautification efforts in the City of Marion and we don’t appreciate unjust criticism. Perhaps Mrs. Koiter should get the facts straight in the future.

I also do not appreciate the personal criticism directed at me by Mrs. Koiter who characterizes me as “someone who cares only about himself and not our community.” That’s strong language from someone who does not know me and did not even give me the common courtesy of a phone call or a personal letter prior to writing to the newspaper. My years of community service speak for itself and can withstand her cheap shot comment. Good judgement would indicate an open apology to me from Mrs. Koiter to be in order. I will close by saying that is Mrs. Koiter is so concerned about the appearance of the City of Marion, perhaps she should use her position as a shift manager at Burger King to please trim the very unsightly bushes in front of her business on the most traveled roadway in the City of Marion.

Sincerely,
Bobby Gerald, Mayor of Marion