News

McDonald foes post online petition

By Bill Moss, Published: December 12, 2014

Unnamed opponents of Henderson County Sheriff Charlie McDonald have collected 220 signatures on an online petition that seeks to "demand justice" for the firing of sheriff's deputies.
The Hendersonville Lightning reported on Nov. 26 that McDonald fired six deputies after the Nov. 4 election.
"The combined training hours of just four of these veterans amounted to 12,000, and a total loss of $240,000 in salaries and expenses is now the aftermath of McDonald's wrongdoing," the petition said. "The officers included some who had served Henderson County for over twenty years, and knew the needs of their community long before McDonald had the idea to run for sheriff."

"It seems to me that Sheriff McDonald is on a power trip and is getting rid of the deputies that supported another candidate," one signer said in a comments section. "Is that not our constitutional right to support the person of our choice? What does their supporting another candidate have to do with their ability to protect the public?"
The website asks supporters of the drive to "help us get to 1,500" signature but does not say what happens when it reaches the goal.
McDonald in multiple interviews with the Lightning has defended his personnel moves as in the best interest of the sheriff's office and his goals for law enforcement.