Sheriff’s race hot topic in Dillon County

Although the presidential race is on the radar screen, the hot topic in Dillon County is the sheriff’s race.

Newcomer Major Hulon, 56, defeated longtime sheriff Harold Grice in the June Democratic Primary. Hulon worked for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources for 22 years as a game warden and is a project coordinator for Northeastern Technical College.

Grice originally had said he wasn’t going to run, Hulon said, but then changed his mind. He has been Dillon County’s sheriff for 21 years.

It was a major upset and among the issues that prompted Chief Deputy Douglas “Humbunny” Pernell, 47, to seek the office as a petition candidate. Pernell has been a member of the sheriff’s department for 22 years. He is touting his experience.

“We got two candidates running for sheriff,” Thomas Howard, 47, said. “I’m going to vote for Pernell. He’s been on the force for 22 years and we need change in Dillon County. The kids really don’t have nowhere to go.”

Howard says it’s also time for change in the presidential race. He thinks the man for change is Barack Obama.

“I’m a union man and Obama and (Joe) Biden represent the union,” Howard said. “I’m unemployed and done traveled seven states looking for work.”

Howard said he likes Obama’s health plan, too.

“The American people work all their life and can’t afford health insurance,” he said. “If it wasn’t for the union, I wouldn’t have the good insurance I have today.”

Eddie Townsend is a sales associate at a downtown hardware store. He didn’t have any comment on the sheriff’s race.

But he’s not for Obama or McCain.

“I’m an independent, have always been an independent and will vote for Ralph Nader,” he said. “The independents seem to care more about my ideas for the country. I believe in our country and not just about one individual.

“It ain’t about one individual, it’s about all of us. We got 50 states, not one state. It’s about everybody that works, tries to have something and do what’s right.”

Burgers were frying big time on the grill at The Kitchen, a small walk-up eatery that has been a staple in Dillon since the 1940s. Edna Daniels, 66, is the owner.

“I go to church with Major and he’s a fine man,” she said, scooping up an order of French fries to go with a sizzling hamburger. “But now I like Pernell. He’s a nice man, too. I think either one of them will be just fine.”

Daniels isn’t pleased with either presidential candidate.

“Well, I’m sorry to say I just don’t think we got anybody good to vote for,” she said. “It kind of disturbs me. I’ll probably vote Republican, but it’s not because I think he’s the better man. It’s just the lesser of two evils.”

Daniels hears people complaining about the economy on a daily basis. Her business has withstood the test of time.

“The Lord has been good to us,” she said. “Our business has held up, my children are doing fine and we’re healthy.”

Lola Hyatt, 56, is a waitress at another restaurant. She withheld comment on the sheriff’s race.

“I’ll just be glad when everything is over and maybe the economy will be a little better,” she said. “It’s in a bad situation now. It’s really hurt the restaurant business.”

Nathaniel “Junebug” Hughes didn’t think his age was very important. He said he’s unemployed.

“I reckon the sheriff’s race is alright,” he said. “I’m trying to figure out if I’m going to vote for Humbunny or the other one. But Dillon really needs a change, a good change, because, I’m telling you, it’s been hard around this part of the world.”

Hughes is undecided about Obama or McCain.

“I ain’t really decided which way I’m going to curve,” he said. “I don’t really know which one’s going to get my vote.”

Monica Abraham, 31, will vote for Pernell.

“We need some change in the Dillon County area because the crime rate with drugs is horrible,” she said. “The drugs have got to be real bad in this area. I think Pernell is the person to make the change with drugs and other violent crimes.”

Abraham is voting for Obama because the economy needs to change.

“I’m unemployed because of budget cuts and I think Obama can bring the change we need,” she said. “There aren’t any jobs because the jobs are going overseas.”

Ben Hamer is 71, retired and said he will vote for Hulon for sheriff.

And while he’s not enthusiastic about Obama or McCain, Obama will get his vote. The main reason is because he has Biden as his running mate.

“I don’t think that other vice presidential candidate is qualified to be a dog catcher,” he said.

The economy hasn’t affected Hamer.

“I don’t have no money (in) those 401(k)s or in the stock market,” he said. “All my money is in local banks.”

Diana Moody, 62, is owner of the Petal Pusher Florist and two other businesses in Dillon.

“I think Major Hulon is the man to choose,” she said. “They say he doesn’t have any background, but he does. And what he doesn’t know, I’m sure he can learn.

“Major is a fine, Christian boy. I think he will do right by the citizens and for the citizens of Dillon County.”

Moody is a McCain supporter because he’s been in the military.

“If a president is going to have something to say about a war going on, he should know something about it,” she said. “And if anybody knows about it, McCain does. I just hope and pray to the Lord that we can get out of there without any more losses of our troops. It’s just tearing the country apart to see us lose our young men and women.”

Moody says she could have given those in charge a lesson about the economy 10 years ago. She came from a farm family and kept its books for 27 years before going into business for herself.
“It’s not something that just happened, it’s been going on for a very, very long time,” she said. “You had to be blind not to see it coming.

“It’s especially terrible for small business people. I think they’re not going to exist if this continues. We’re definitely going to have to have some help if we are going to stay in business.”
Howard Edwards is manager of Dillon Exxon.

“I’m 67 years old and about to fall apart,” he said in jest. “The economy is rotten because y’all got all the plants over there in Florence County. We been in a depression for years here.”

Edwards said the presidential race “looks like Obama,” but added, “it really doesn’t matter to me.”

He didn’t comment on the sheriff’s race.